Scales Sets another Program Record, Chilcott Wins Steeple for Track & Field at West Coast Distance Carnival

Posted: May 10, 2021

LIVERMORE, Calif. — Santa Clara track & field continued the homestretch of the 2021 regular season with another strong day of racing on Saturday at the West Coast Distance Carnival. Alex Scales won the 800-meter race with a 1:49.54 — his second program record at that distance this season — and Harvey Chilcott won the 3,000-meter steeplechase with a 9:06.08.

The team recorded 19 collegiate-best times, including five new marks for the program's top 10 lists, to go with five section wins at Las Positas College. Competition included runners from Gonzaga, LMU, Pepperdine, Saint Mary's, San Diego and San Francisco.

Scales jumped up to 35^th in the west region and 77^th in the country with his 800m performance.

Spencer Fischer bested his own 800m mark with a 1:51.33 to maintain his spot as the second-fastest Bronco at that distance in program history. Ian Twyman's 1,500m 3:51.16 was good for second place in the field of 36 to make him the seventh-fastest Bronco all-time.

Sophia Morris posted an 800m 2:15.51 to become the fifth-fastest Bronco all-time, moving up one spot from where she began the day. Irene Nagasaka turned in a 2:17.78 in her 800m collegiate debut and landed the No. 10 position on the program's top 10 list.

The Broncos also came away with section wins from Hayelom Fitsum at 800m, Hannah Aguirre at 5,000m and Sasha Codiga at 1,500m.

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Head coach Felipe Montoro on the men's team: "There were lots of breakthroughs at the West Coast Distance Carnival. The steeple crew ran great to kick us off and the 800s were very fun to watch. Alex was able to lower his school record by half a second experimenting with a different race strategy and the rest of the 800 guys executed really well. Nicky had a excellent debut at 5,000m. Ian Kirk also raced really well in his heat. Ian Twyman ran a huge PR in the 1,500m and I thought EJ had the biggest breakthrough though with his 1,500m performance.

Associate head coach Pete Cushman on the women's team: "We did a good job meeting our objectives and racing the fields. What made this meet particularly fun was having the entire team present, both men and women. We had a ton of positive energy and enthusiasm as a result and that made for a great atmosphere. Sophia continues to put together great races. She felt a little off, but despite that feeling, her performance showed how fit she is. Hannah has had a year with some highs and lows, and I'm happy she was able to finish her 5k season with a big high. She ran away from the field and solo'd this PR effort."

SANTA CLARA RESULTS

MEN'S 3,000-METER STEEPLECHASE (6 RUNNERS)

1. Harvey Chilcott – 9:06.08

4. Oliver Branham-Upton – 9:42.17 (PR)

5. Brendan Mulvany – 9:43.72 (PR)

6. Dominic Baciocco – 9:43.78 (PR)

WOMEN'S 800-METER RUN (17 RUNNERS)

7. Sophia Morris – 2:15.51 (PR/5^th-fastest SCU history)

9. Irene Nagasaka – 2:17.78 (PR/first collegiate 800/10^th-fastest SCU history)

16. Gabby Navarro – 2:33.03

MEN'S 800-METER RUN (26 RUNNERS)

1. Alex Scales – 1:49.54 (PR/program record)