NAIA TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS : Azusa Pacific Men’s Team Leads

Azusa Pacific got off to the fast start it needed on the first day of the NAIA track and field championships Thursday night.

The Cougars, who are playing host to the event and are the defending national champions, topped all the men’s teams with 38 points on the first day.

Rene Bustamante boosted Azusa Pacific into the lead by scoring 10 points and winning the hammer throw with a 194-foot 3-inch throw.

In another top performance, Lubbock Christian’s Julius Randich lapped everyone in winning the 10,000 meters in 28 minutes 33.74 seconds.

Western Oregon State is second with 25 points and Lubbock Christian of Texas is third with 19.

Central State of Ohio is leading the women’s competition with 18 points. Azusa Pacific has three points.