Cal State L.A. Women Get Good Start

Behind LaVera Clark’s first-place finish in the hammer, the Cal State Los Angeles women’s track and field team got off to a solid start on the first day of the three-day NCAA Division II championships Thursday at UC Riverside.

Clark’s opening toss of 177 feet 2 inches did not come close to her personal best, but it was good enough to give the Golden Eagles 10 early points in their battle for the team title.

“On my first throw, I was very nervous. I didn’t think that I could get it around,” said Clark, who had qualified for the Olympic trials with an early-season throw of 183-9.

Cal State L.A. also received key points from Martha Pinto and Mariso Cossio--who finished third and fourth in the 10,000 meters--to finish the day with 21 points. The Golden Eagles have never won the national team title, but they finished second last year behind five-time champion Abilene Christian.

The Wildcats lead going into today, thanks to points from Casi Florida in the 10,000 and Lindsay Wells and Carlene Vassell in the long jump.

In the men’s race, St. Augustine’s drive for its record-breaking eighth consecutive title may be in jeopardy after the Falcons scored only one point. Abilene Christian’s balance showed with Fallody Moonga winning the 10,000 meters and Kevin Dilworth finishing second in the long jump behind Ashland’s Sean Robbins.