Distance Runners Kick off Action at Aztec Invitational

March 27, 2015

SAN DIEGO, Calif. - Highlighted by an addition to the program's all-time standings from freshman Giulianna Vessa and a first-place finish from sophomore Jason Engel, several members of the Air Force track and field team opened competition at the Aztec Invitational's Distance Carnival this evening (March 27) in San Diego.

Crossing the finish line of the 1500-meter run in a time of 4:29.30, Vessa debuted in seventh on the Academy's all-time list. That time also helped the freshman to a third-place overall finish in a race that featured 98 runners.

Engel picked up a first-place finish in his collegiate debut at the 5000-meter distance, after clocking a time of 14:41.87 to better the rest of the 39-runner field by nearly four seconds. Engel was one of two Falcons to finish within the top six of the 5000-meter run, as classmate Ryan Graf deleted over 30 seconds off of his previous best time to finish sixth (14:58.55).

Fellow sophomore Lindy Long was the runner-up in the women's 5000-meter run behind a personal-best time of 17:33.10, while junior Sean Bapty and freshman Andrew Milliron finished third (career-best 9:26.51) and eighth (debut 10:09.92), respectively, in the men's 3000-meter steeplechase.

Air Force competed in one field event today, as the hammer throw was contested on the UCSD campus.

Junior Spencer Baldwin used a career-best distance of 172'11" to take fifth in the Invitational section of the event, whlie freshman Brooks Hardy finished ninth in his outdoor debut, behind a throw of 151'10". Sophomore Cydnee Reese competed in the women's invitational, placing ninth with a toss of 150'7".

Air Force wraps up its spring break training trip tomorrow (March 28), as the rest of the squad heads to the SDSU Sports Deck for the second day of action at the 37th-annual Aztec Invitational. The women's discus throw kicks off the day at 10:00 a.m. (PT).

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