This past weekend, the Ben Brown Invitational--hosted by Cal State Fullerton--served as the electrifying kickoff to the collegiate outdoor season for many athletes. The two-day competition featured an exciting showcase of talent, beginning with the AstroAi Distance Classic on Friday night.
Kelsie Yamano, a senior from UC San Diego, wasted no time making history in the Women’s 3000m Steeplechase, clocking 10:42.30 to shatter both the meet record and UCSD’s school record. Just half an hour later, Valentin Soca delivered a jaw-dropping performance in the Men’s 1500m, demolishing the meet record by nearly 10 seconds with a blistering 3:40.12. Soca’s performance came hot on the heels of his recent South American indoor 3000m record of 7:34.10— the third-fastest mark in NCAA history.
This momentum carried into the Men’s and Women’s 5000m races later that evening, where three men dipped under the 14-minute barrier. Pedro Marin, a sophomore from California Baptist University, claimed victory in 13:56.40. He was closely followed by teammate Daniel Abdala (13:56.59) and Cal State Fullerton’s Marco Perez (13:56.96). In the Women’s 5000m, freshman Ava Dyck of CBU stole the show, crossing the line in 16:18.74 to secure the win.
Earlier on Friday, the field events set the tone for the weekend with standout performances and personal bests. Hawkin Miller, a junior from Cal State Fullerton, launched a massive 57.87m throw to win the Men’s Hammer, marking the sixth-best performance in school history. In the Men’s Long Jump, two competitors eclipsed the previous meet record of 7.45m—Christian Wood soared to victory with a jump of 7.60m while Cal State Fullerton senior Rahsaan Dozier followed closely with a jump of 7.57m, ranking as the sixth-best jump in school history.
The high-energy competition continued into Saturday, where five more meet records fell. Dannette Haygood of Cal State Fullerton delivered a breakout performance in the Women’s Triple Jump, setting a new meet record with a lifetime-best of 12.41m—good for fifth all-time in school history.
Cal State San Bernardino made its mark in the Women’s 4x100m Relay, as Alexandra Ackerman, Alexis White, Amari Weatherford and Hailey Hunt stormed to victory in 45.29, setting both a meet and school record. Weatherford returned to the track later that day to claim another meet and school record in the Women’s 100m, running a wind-aided 11.51.
Joshua Hornsby of Cal State Fullerton successfully defended his meet record in the Men’s 110m Hurdles, clocking a wind-legal 13.88 to maintain his dominance in the event. Meanwhile, Ian Dossman, a sophomore from Cal State Fullerton, electrified the home crowd with a statement win in the Men’s 200m, blazing to a meet and school record of 20.65.
Ian Dossman (3/8/2025)
To cap off a sizzling opening outdoor weekend, the UC San Diego's women's 4x400m relay squad--comprised of Lauren Schiele, Rachel Aguilar, Amari Jenkins and Jordyn Thomas--powered their way to a meet record of 3:43.30, the third-fastest mark in school history.
With jaw-dropping performances, record-breaking moments and an undeniable sense of momentum, the Ben Brown Invitational set the stage for what promises to be a thrilling collegiate outdoor season.
By Quinn Roldan
