Cal Poly Shines, Wins 9 Events on Day 1 of Conover Classic

Friday, March 24

San Luis Obispo, CA

All Day

Conover Classic

Maya Holman captured first in the women's long jump and javelin during the first day of the Conover Classic, recording personal bests in both.

Cal Poly Shines, Wins 9 Events on Day 1 of Conover Classic

3/24/2023 11:00:00 PM | Track and Field

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — Shelby Daniele and Corban Payne continued to climb Cal Poly's top marks list and the distance crew shined under the lights during the first day of the inaugural Conover Classic on Friday at the Miller & Capriotti Athletics Complex.

The meet, formerly known as the Cal Poly Invitational, is named in honor of the late Mark Conover, who served as the Mustangs' Director of Track & Field and Cross Country for more than 13 years before passing away last April after a courageous battle with an aggressive form of skin cancer.

To celebrate Mark and his legacy at Cal Poly, a distance carnival was held under the lights Friday — marking the first time in Miller & Capriotti Athletics Complex history that any events were ran at night.

But before the lights came on, Daniele and Payne showed out in front of the Mustang faithful, continuing their strong starts to the outdoor season.

Less than a week after moving to No. 5 all-time in the women's 200-meter, Daniele shaved another .30 seconds off her time, running a lifetime best of 23.73 seconds — the third fastest time in school history. The time was also a meet record, allowing her to run away with a victory in the event.

Payne moved to No. 4 all-time in the men's hammer throw at Cal Poly, tossing a personal best of 190 feet, 6 inches to claim first. Three weeks ago at the Cal Poly Open, Payne entered the top marks list with an 183-8.

During the distance events, Aidan McCarthy, Tatiana Cornejo and John Bennett shined brightest. In his first action of the outdoor season, McCarthy picked up right where he left off last spring, running a 1:49.40 to win the men's 800 invite. McCarthy ran the second-fastest 800 time in school history (1:48.0) at the 2022 NCAA West Preliminaries. Quinton Alexander crossed the finish line right behind McCarthy in second (1:52.06).

Cornejo didn't look like a freshman in her first outdoor meet as a Mustang, posting a time of 4:24.72 to capture first in the women's 1,500 invite. Schuyler Gooley was right on her heels, taking second with a 4:28.90 and shaving over 15 seconds off her personal best.

Bennett won the men's 1,500 invite with a personal best of 3:46.90, while Spencer Pickren brought home second with a PR of 3:47.73.

Rachel Victor and Nina St. John finished first and second respectively in the women's 2,000-meter steeplechase.

In the men's long jump, freshman Tibyasa Matovu soared to new heights, leaping a PR of 24 feet to secure first. Teammate Noah Bustos wasn't far behind, placing second with a PR of 23-7.75.

Sophomore Maya Holman won two events Friday — the women's javelin (132-8.5) and long jump (18-9.5) — recording PRs in both. Melody Nwagwu captured second in the long jump.

Anna Grexton took second in the women's hammer, Anthony Guerra earned second in the men's 3,000-meter steeplechase and Nick Gammal placed third in the men's javelin. Noah Bultman also shined in the men's hammer, recording a PR of 183-4 to place third and remain at No. 9 on the Mustangs' all-time list.

Jadyn Snaer (24.49, third) and Anisa Rind (24.71, sixth) ran significant lifetime bests in the 200 as well. Overall, Cal Poly won nine events on the opening day of the meet.

Action on the final day of the Conover Classic starts at 10:30 a.m. Saturday with the men's discus and women's shot put. Running events begin at 1:30 p.m.

Cal Poly Conover Classic Day 1 Results

Men's

Hammer — 1, Corban Payne, 190-6. 3, Noah Bultman, 183-4. 8, Devon Cetti, 173-11.75. 9, Rory Devaney, 170-10.
Javelin — 3, Nick Gammal, 175-11.
Long jump — 1, Tibyasa Matovu, 24-0. 2, Noah Bustos, 23-7.75. 10, Bailey Jones, 20-3.5.
200 — 3, Tyler Esteves, 21.86. 5, Chris Davis, 22.05. 6, MacGregor TeSelle, 22.13. 8, Wesley Salzman, 22.31.
800 Invite — 1, Aidan McCarthy, 1:49.40. 2, Quinton Alexander, 1:52.06. 4, Logan Moon, 1:52.85.
1,500 Invite — 1, John Bennett, 3:46.90. 2, Spencer Pickren, 3:47.73. 6, Colton Swinth, 3:52.47. 7, Lucas Lacambra, 3:53.13. 9, Rory Smail, 3:53.95. 11, Lewis Westwood, 3:54.73. 13, Anthony Benitez, 3:55.17.
3,000 Steeplechase — 2, Anthony Guerra, 9:07.76.

Women's

Hammer — 2, Anna Grexton, 151-3.75.
Javelin — 1, Maya Holman, 132-8.5. 4, Chase Kubinski, 113-7.75.
Long jump — 1, Maya Holman, 18-9.5. 2, Melody Nwagwu, 18-6.25.
200 — 1, Shelby Daniele, 23.73. 3, Jadyn Snaer, 24.49. 6, Anisa Rind, 24.71. 7, Aspin Oliver, 25.05. 8, Katelyn Carro, 25.15. 12, Belle Aduaka, 25.71. 16, Maya Holman, 26.89. 19, Emma Lim, 28.10.
1,500 Invite — 1, Tatiana Cornejo, 4:24.72. 2, Schuyler Gooley, 4:28.90. 4, Misty Diaz, 4:33.23. 6, Abigail Fletcher, 4:38.15. 8, Carissa Buchholz, 4:39.72. 9, Isabel Sanchez, 4:43.09.
2,000 Steeplechase — 1, Rachel Victor, 6:54.81. 2, Nina St. John, 6:58.18.
5,000 — 3, Carissa Buchholz, 18:32.45.