FLAGSTAFF, ARIZ. -- Cal State LA's men's and women's track and field teams opened their 2025 seasons at an indoor meet in Arizona.

The Golden Eagles recorded some top marks in the Friday Night Axe 'Em meet hosted by Northern Arizona. The highlight of the meet came in the men's 200 meters where Leon Tafirenyika and Jesus Chavez finished 1-2 and were both under the NCAA provisional qualifying standard of 21.63.

Tafirenyika won the race in 21.55, edging Chavez, who was second at 21.57. That duo also went 1-2 in the 200 at the California Collegiate Athletic Association Championships last spring.

Tafirenyika, a six-time All-American in outdoor track, also had a fourth-place finish in the 60 in 6.74, while newcomer Drew Hill was sixth in 6.78. Hill had a time of 6.77 in the prelims and both Golden Eagles eclipsed the provisional standard of 6.84.

For the women, newcomer Cecille Lightbourn had the best individual finish, placing fourth in the triple jump with a mark of 36-2.75. 

Nelly Garnica was seventh in the 800 with a time of 2:36.08.

Cal State LA will return to action on Jan. 24 at the Nevada Invitational.

NAU FRIDAY AXE 'EM OPEN
At Northern Arizona
Men
60 Prelims - 6. Drew Hill 6.77Q; 8. Leon Tafirenyika 6.82Q; 17. Jesus Chavez 6.90; 76. Josiah Hooks 7.30
60 Finals - 4. Leon Tafirenyika 6.74; 6. Drew Hill 6.78
200 -- 1. Leon Tafirenyika 21.55; 2. Jesus Chavez 21.57; 6. Drew Hill 21.97; 49. Josiah Hooks 24.78
400 -- 15. Gabriel Schafer 51.56; 28. John Covarrubias 55.10; Burrell Adams DNF
800 -- 9. Miguel Morales Lopez 2:14.34; 10. Trent Osburn 2:18.14; 11. Joshua Lovato 2:20.55; 12. Nicholas Delgado 2:21.28
Women
60 Prelims - 36. Emmerson Wiggins 7.92; 55. Ski'lar Wallace 8.18; 64. Cecille Lightbourn 8.32; 69. Samiya Stevens 8.46; 80. Jenna Pagan 8.91
200 -- 16. Emmerson Wiggins 25.89; 38. Dalia Romo 27.53; 40. Ski'lar Wallace 27.65; 42. Paula Romo 27.76; 48. Presli Dillon 28.49; 51. Zariah Corbitt 28.56; 59. Jenna Pagan 30.19
400 -- 15. Dalia Romo 61.23; 19. Paula Romo 62.41; 20. Presli Dillon 63.29; 21. Zariah Corbitt 63.89
800 -- 7. Nelly Garnica 2:36.08; 11. Mikaela Holguin 2:48.26; 13. Alejandra Estrada 2:56.81
4x400 Relay -- 4. Cal State LA 4:07.26
Long Jump -- 17. Samiya Stevens 16-2.50; 20. Cecille Lightbourn 15-9.75
Triple Jump -- 4. Cecille Lightbourn 36-2.75; Samiya Stevens Foul
Shot Put -- 13. Sinaiah Pointer 38-00.25; 17. Vanessa Portillo 31-8.50
Weight Throw -- 10. Vanessa Portillo 43-9.75; 12. Sinaiah Pointer 41-3