Setting a new record in the 200 meters, recording 23.84 over her previous record of 23.91., Ariana Wright represented Cerritos College track and field as it hosted the Beach Invitational on April 20 thru 21.

The tournament started Friday with the men’s and women’s hammer throw.

Both the preliminaries and the finals for this event were held on the same day.

Destini Poplar, who had previously achieved second in the hammer throw, with 39.35 meters, and shot put with 11.40 meters, said, So far, the best I’ve had is 41.98 meters for hammer.”

Her teammate, Carissa English,said, “ Today, I am doing pretty good, my personal record is 42 meters, but I feel like I can hit 45, and that’s my goal.”

In the 200 meters, Wright won her heat, but was defeated by Shanequa Williams of Kent State University, who finished first at 23.74 and Team England reaching second at 23.76.

According to USA Track and Field veteran, Roger Dubbs, considering the size and the number of cross country and other teams competing in the event, Cerritos College athletes’ performance was impressive

“Last year in this meet there were about three thousand athletes and we expect twice as much this year.

Cerritos College is would probably perform better than expected, because they have better athletes, and instead of junior colleges , they have universities and people from out of state have come here, so they seize competition ,which makes them better.”

The event also drew international participation.

Gemma Bennett who finished second for Team England at the 700 meter hurdles, said,” this is a voluntary participation at their own expense, as they were preparing for the Olympics. “