SALINAS, Calif. — With the women taking the weekend off, Saint Mary's Track sent the men to Hartnell College in Salinas to race in the Central Coast Open, hosted by the Panthers. Primarily, the men raced in the 800m and 1500m, with several Gaels posting personal bests and season bests despite the blustery conditions on the Central Coast.
 
800m
Curtis Volf was the fastest Gael in the 800m, finishing in third place overall with a solid field of competitors surrounding him, and a host of fellow Gaels racing in the event. Volf was one of seven Gaels to finish the 800m in under 2:00, with Derek D'Amelia, Peyton Fox, Blaine Reynolds, Anthony Vazques, Thomas Osborne, and Jacob Bravo all posting times under the two-minute mark. Volf, D'Amelia, and Reynolds were the top-three to finish in their heat (heat two), While Jacob McNittt won his heat (heat four) in the 800m with a time of 2:06.76, which stands as a personal best. D'Amelia (1:57.69), Reynolds (1:58.70), Bravo (1:59.81), Lucas Chung (2:02.62), McNitt, Aidan Donovan (2:07.63), Max Barnes (2:08.49), Luke Bland (2:11.92), and Angel Castro (2:13.75) all ran PRs in the 800m.
 
1500m
Eight Gaels tried their hand at the 1500m, with Chung posting the best time overall. He finished eighth in the 1500m with a time of 4:10.44, representing the second peronsal best that he posted on the afternoon. Donovan was next closest to Chung in the 1500m, with a time of 4:14.86 to finish second amongst the Gaels, and second in the second section of the 1500m race. Isaiah Jimenez won the third heat of the 1500m with his time of 4:19.64, and Troy Coulston finished close behind him at 4:21.46.
 
4x400
The Gaels also sent two 4x400 relay teams to the course in Salinas, earning second and third place finishes overall. Their A-team of Vazquez, Fox, Volf, and D'Amelia finished in a time of 3:33.00, which is a Saint Mary's record.
 
UP NEXT
The final track meet of the regular season is up for Saint Mary's on April 30 as the Gaels head to Fresno for the Fresno State Invitational. This could represent the final opportunity for some Gaels to earn a shot at the NCAA West Prelims, which begin on May 25. There is the possibility for some last chance meets to be added to the schedule, so keep a close eye on smcgaels.com for any updates to the schedule.