MEET RESULTS

ALLENDALE, MI -- Cal State LA's women's track and field team had a promising beginning to the 2022 indoor season on Saturday.

Mya Ferguson and Ja'Narie Rhambo set personal records in their first indoor competitions since 2020 and the 4x400 relay team of Dericka Braden, Sanaia Woods, Ferguson and Alyssa Johnson recorded a victory to highlight Cal State LA's day at Grand Valley State's Bob Eubanks Open. The 4x400 relay team had a winning time of 4:10.83.

"This was the first meet in two years for a lot of us and for some the first meet as a collegiate athlete. So our nerves were there along with some anxiety," Johnson said. "We were coming out and hoping to compete where we left off or better. We were there all the way supporting each other, and pushing each other to do the best we possibly could. We held each other accountable like sisters and the results showed. We ended this meet amazing, our 4x4 relay team ran humbly and won the race. I am very proud of my teammates and I am excited to see what this season has in store for each individual."

Cal State LA head coach Tina Fernandes was encouraged by the opening-day results.

"We are excited to have the opportunity to compete after missing 2 season from Covid. Today was about re-connecting and competing," Fernandes said. " It was great seeing our women supporting each other. It was also an added bonus having the support of family, friends, and our Golden Eagles cheering from home. We're excited for the opportunity to compete and we will only get better from here.  We now have a starting point and will continue to grow throughout the season."

Ferguson got her season off to a strong start after finishing fifth in the 60 hurdles. She recorded a time of 9.20 in the prelims while qualifying with the fifth-fastest time and she improved that to 9.09 while finishing fifth in the finals. That was better than her previous best of 9.15 and is No. 6 on Cal State LA's all-time list.

"Personally, I feel as if we were all nervous, especially those who have been with the program pre-Covid," Ferguson said. "We had some personal bests and that's amazing for us to have had two years off from a track season. Together, we are becoming a family and that's the bond we need going forward because without encouragement and being there for each other, it's going to be hard since track and field is a mental battle more than a physical battle. Being able to make it to the finals and being able to improve throughout the day is a reward itself."

Rhambo finished fourth in the weight throw with a mark of 50-6, which is a personal best and the No. 6 mark on Cal State LA's all-time list. She was also sixth in the shot put with a personal best of 35-9.50.

"I'm grateful and excited to see the team back on the track and in the field," Cal State LA assistant coach Erica Cosby said. "I look forward to seeing the group continue to develop as we get back into the swing of competition."

Woods also had a good opening day to her Cal State LA career after reaching the finals of the 60. She was seventh in the prelims with a time of 8.04 and she finished seventh in the finals with a time of 8.08.

Braden was fourth in the 400 with a time of 61.57, Javany McDermott finished in a tie for fourth in the high jump with a mark of 5-1 and took fifth in the triple jump with a mark of 36-1.50 and Imani McGee was ffith in the shot put with a mark of 36-6.75 and seventh in the open division of the weight throw with a mark of 36-2.50.

"After being out for two whole seasons I feel like I regressed quite a bit in my jumps," McDermott said. "This meet was an eye opener for me and I am excited to go to practice on Monday and work on everything that I need to fix and push forward for next week."

Cal State LA will return to action next Friday at Northern Arizona's Lumberjack Team Challenge.

BOB EUBANKS OPEN
At Grand Valley State
60 Prelims -- 7. Sanaia Woods 8.04q; 16. Javany McDermott 8.44; 18. Alyssa Johnson 8.50; 20. Rachel Trunnel 8.52
60 Finals -- 7. Sanaia Woods 8.08
60 Hurdles Prelims -- 5. Mya Ferguson 9.20q
60 Hurdles Finals -- 5. Mya Ferguson 9.09
200 -- 23. Dericka Braden 27.91
400 -- 4. Dericka Braden 61.57
4x400 Relay -- 1. Cal State LA (Dericka Braden, Sanaia Woods, Mya Ferguson, Alyssa Johnson) 4:10.83
Long Jump -- 16. Alyssa Johnson 14-7.75
Triple Jump -- 5. Javany McDermott 36-1.50; 9. Alyssa Johnson 32-9.75; 13. Sanaia Woods 30-0
High Jump -- 4. Javany McDermott 5-1
Weight Throw Invitational -- 4. Ja'Narie Rhambo 50-6
Weight Throw Open -- 7. Imani McGee 36-2.50; 9. Sophia Hatum 35-2.50; 13. Jordyn Wyatt 26-11.75
Shot Put -- 5. Imani McGee 36-6.75; 6. Ja'Narie Rhambo 35-9.50