Cokas beats personal best by 37 seconds at Aztec Invite

SAN DIEGO, Calif. – The Chapman University men's and women's track teams competed at the 40th Annual Aztec Invitational Friday afternoon. A few Panthers achieved personal records, but junior Nika Cokas led the pack, beating her personal best in the 5000 meter race by 37 seconds and placing fifth overall in the event.

Cokas finished the race in 19:32.48, shattering her previous personal record by 37 seconds. Junior Hannah Pickerill also set a personal record just one week after setting a PR in the high jump at Redlands. Pickerill cleared 1.47 meters (4 feet, 9.75 inches) to beat her previous personal best by two inches.

Freshman Ryly Yee added to the list of personal records, shaving nearly two seconds off her 800-meter run with a time of 2:41.29. Sophomore Lauren Miller threw for two season-bests in the shotput and discus throws. She cleared a distance of 10.38 meters (34 feet, 0.75 inches) in the shotput and 27.85 meters (91 feet, 4 inches) in the discus throw.

A trio of Panthers competed in the men's 400-meter dash. Freshman Aki Shigeyama finished with a time of 52.66. Senior Kyle Brown finished just behind him with a personal-best 54.61 and junior Sayeed Mohammed came in with a time of 57.91. Sophomore Derek Ohara also set a new personal record in the 100-meter dash with a time of 11.55. Freshman Elon Grobey wanted in on the action, setting a new season-best in the long jump with a leap of 5.65 meters (18 feet, 6.5 inches). Ohara finished just behind him with a jump of 5.50 meters (18 feet, 0.5 inches).

by Katie Bell
Sports Information Assistant

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