Alec Franco

The highly-competitive San Francisco State Distance Carnival began Friday morning with the men’s 10,000m race. Representing the Mustangs in separate heats of the event were Joshua Sherfey and Andrew Orona. Competing in the first and fastest section, Sherfey finished with a time of 31:14 and achieved the NAIA’s national qualifying “A” standard time while running a lifetime best. This is the third event for which Sherfey has qualified this season. In the following section, Orona also ran a personal best of 32:08.

In the men’s high jump, Noah Frizzell cleared 1.85m, nearly matching his lifetime best.

Tobin Bolter and Skyler Mikesell represented TMU in the men’s 1500m race, posting marks of 4:04 and 4:07, respectively.

Perhaps the highlight of the day for the Mustang men was Alec Franco’s performance in the men’s 3,000m steeplechase. Meeting the NAIA’s national “A” standard and running a new lifetime best, Franco ran an incredible 9:22, just 10 seconds off the TMU record he hopes to chase down by the end of the season.

Finishing the day for the Mustang men, Joshua Nunez and Stephen Pacheco raced in separate sections of the men’s 5,000m, posting times of 15:51 and 15:43, respectively. Notably, Pacheco ran a tactical race, finishing second in his heat and running a new lifetime best along the way.

On Saturday, the Mustangs were back in action with Max Hudson leading the way in the men’s javelin, marking 42.81m. Not to be overlooked, Hudson set a new lifetime best and TMU record.

Shortly after, teammates Sam Jaimes and Christian Carter raced the men’s 100m dash, posting times of 11.32 and 11.46, respectively. Notably, this was Carter’s collegiate debut in the 100m.

In the men’s mile, Gareth Matson ran a new personal best of 4:54.

Returning to the track, Christian Carter posted a collegiate best in the men’s 400m, crossing the line in 50.29. Teammate Jake Ortiz, on his way back from an early season set-back, posted a mark of 53.1.

Closing out the meet for the Mustangs, Skyler Mikesell returned to the track to race the men’s 800m. Taking the race out hard, Mikesell managed to hang on and finish in 1:58.

“This was a great meet for us”, commented TMU head Coach Zach Schroeder. “Quality competition and solid performances all around. So many lifetime bests show us that we’re going in the right direction and are ready to compete big at the end of the season.”

Next up for TMU men’s track & field is the Pomona-Pitzer Invitational on Saturday, April 8.

66th Annual NAIA Men’s Outdoor Track & Field National Championships Qualifier Tracker:

Based on their outstanding performances so far in the 2017 track & field season, the following Mustangs will have qualified to represent The Master’s University at the 66th Annual Men’s Outdoor Track & Field National Championships from May 25-27 at the Mickey Miller Blackwell Stadium in Gulf Shores, Alabama:

Skyler Mikesell: Men’s 1500m
Alec Franco: Men’s 3,000m Steeplechase
Joshua Sherfey: Men’s 5,000m, 10,000m, Marathon
Tim Gutierrez: Men’s Marathon