Pepperdine Track Team Gears Up for the Bryan Clay Invitational
MALIBU, Calif. — The excitement is palpable as the Pepperdine track team prepares to compete at one of the most prestigious collegiate track meets in the nation, the Bryan Clay Invitational. Hosted by Azusa Pacific University, this highly anticipated event unfolds from Wednesday to Friday, attracting thousands of athletes from all over the country.
Livestreaming Highlights and Meet Information
Track enthusiasts won’t miss a moment of the action; the meet will be livestreamed on FloTrack (note: access requires a subscription). For comprehensive details, including live results and the complete schedule, please visit the Pepperdine Track Team’s Schedule Page.
A Crucial Week for NCAA West Regional Bids
This week serves as a critical opportunity for the Waves to secure their spots at the NCAA West Regional meet. With favorable weather conditions and a competitive atmosphere, this week is considered the highlight of the regular-season calendar for college track and field. Competing against some of the best athletes across various divisions, Pepperdine is poised to showcase its top talent under the spotlight of the Bryan Clay Invitational.
Individual Highlights and Key Events
Wednesday: Gentry’s Steeplechase Debut
On Wednesday, all eyes will be on Elijah Gentry, who will participate in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at 4:45 p.m. PT. Gentry, boasting a remarkable time of 9:13.16, ranks second in Pepperdine history and 74th in the West Region. This will be his first competitive steeplechase of the season, a chance to challenge Chris Ogle’s school record of 9:10.33.
Thursday: Busy Day of 5K Showdowns and 800-Meter Sprints
Thursday brings a whirlwind of events for the Waves:
- The open heats of the 5,000-meter run kick off early at 7 a.m., featuring standout performances from Lizzy Crawford and Eden Mittelsdorf for the women. Crawford’s incredible school record of 16:38.36 ranks 73rd in the West Region, while Mittelsdorf makes her mark with a personal best of 17:51.78.
- The men’s side features Gordy Nilsen (14:30.38), Patrick Thomas (14:33.56), and Dominic Silhol (14:49.58), all ranked in Pepperdine’s top-10 list, indicating a strong showing for the male athletes.
In the 800 meters, nine athletes from Pepperdine are ready to make waves. The star of the show is indoor school record holder Caroline Graham with a personal best of 2:13.91, just shy of Olivia Miller’s record. For the men, Ryan Fabian leads the pack with a time of 1:51.63.
Friday: Speed and Strategy in Short Distances
On Friday, the action intensifies with sprinters hitting the track:
- The day kicks off early at 8:30 a.m. with open heats of the 1,500-meter run. Kaley Peterson will take center stage in the 100-meter dash at 12:05 p.m. Following her, school-record-holder Brittany Rivas and Maddy Ortman will tear up the track in the 400-meter hurdles at 2:35 p.m.
- As the day progresses, Peterson will also line up in the 200-meter dash at 3:35 p.m., culminating in the much-anticipated 4×400-meter relay featuring Rivas, Ortman, Isabella Reyes, and Lexi Thomas scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
Friday will conclude with the 1,500-meter run, where indoor mile record holder Hannah Bruner and her teammates, alongside Gentry, Nilsen, and Kaleb McElfish, will strive to leave a lasting impact in their respective heats.
What’s Next for the Waves?
UP NEXT: The Waves will gear up for one final meet as a complete squad at the Oxy Invitational on May 3. For all schedule updates and additional information, please check the track and field team’s schedule page on pepperdinewaves.com.
Event Schedule Overview
Wednesday
- 4:45 p.m. — Men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase
Thursday
- 7:00 a.m. — Men’s open B 5,000 meters
- 8:05 a.m. — Women’s open B 5,000 meters
- 2:00 p.m. — Women’s open 800 meters
- 3:00 p.m. — Men’s open 800 meters
Friday
- 8:30 a.m. — Men’s open C 1,500 meters
- 12:05 p.m. — Women’s 100 meters
- 4:30 p.m. — Women’s 4×400-meter relay
As the Pepperdine track team heads into the Bryan Clay Invitational, the anticipation for thrilling performances, record-breaking successes, and qualification for the NCAA West Regionals is rising. School pride and personal glory hang in the balance—show up and cheer for the Waves!
