GOLETA, Calif. (May 1) – UC Santa Barbara track and field opened day one of competition across the Steve Scott and Payton Jordan Invitationals, highlighted by a first place finish from Matt Staples and personal bests from Kenna Bradley, Lexi Darley, Zach Parker and Nate Osborn.

PAYTON JORDAN INVITATIONAL
Staples led the Gauchos with a win in the men's 200m, crossing the line in 20.90. In the distance events, Zach Parker and Nate Osborn both recorded personal bests in the men's 5000m, with Parker finishing second overall in 14:10.39 and Osborn placing fifth in 14:22.95. Svea Wickelgren added a season best in the women's 800m with a time of 2:10.46.

In the field, Natalie Lyons finished third in the women's long jump with a mark of 5.69m. Kendal Handy placed fifth in the men's long jump at 6.87m, while Monroe Barnum took second in the men's triple jump with a mark of 13.42m.

STEVE SCOTT INVITATIONAL
Kenna Bradley highlighted the track events with a personal best 2:08.52 in the women's 800m, finishing fifth overall. Lexi Darley also posted a personal best in the women's 5000m, placing ninth in 17:29.21. On the men's side, Will Mulliken finished sixth in the 1500m with a time of 3:55.45.

In the field, Kayla Yap led the throws group with a third-place finish in the women's hammer, recording a mark of 54.17m. Layanna Green placed eighth in the women's high jump at 1.64m, while Hanna Barmettler and Amanda Eames competed in the women's long jump, finishing 12th and 15th, respectively.

UP NEXT
The Gauchos will continue competition Saturday at the Steve Scott Invitational as they close out the regular season, before turning their attention to the Big West Championships.