By: Javen Takhar (@javentakhar) – Spear Reporter | Graduate student Zoe Ewell sprints during the women’s 4×100 meter relay (Photo courtesy of SJSU Athletics)
San Jose State competed in the Cal Opener on March 20-21 at Edwards Stadium in Berkeley, Calif., to kick off the outdoor track and field season.
There were star-studded performances that saw SJSU have three overall first-place finishes.
The men’s and women’s relay teams dominated. Junior Nakai Johnson, Leila Champion, junior Sharli’e McCuller and graduate student Zoe Ewell finished atop the podium for the women’s 4×100 meter relay with a time of 44.77 seconds.
An impressive finish for the competition, marking the best time in SJSU history.
Ewell also finished second overall in the 400-meter dash, and first in her heat, with a time of 54.66 seconds.
The men’s team of freshman Spencer Gray, sophomore Nathaniel Guillory, sophomore Marcel Bovell and freshman Dontae Smith placed first in the 4×400 meter relay with a time of 3:13.67 minutes.
Freshman Julius Baker placed first in the men’s 110-meter hurdles competition, finishing in 14.42 seconds.
His teammate, freshman Hayden Bowne, came up just behind Baker, recording a 14.77-second finish.
Despite having athletes compete in events they don’t typically perform in, the Spartans finished strong.
“Ultimately we were just looking more so for competitive spirit,” SJSU director of track and field and cross country Charles Ryan said.
The Spartans will compete in the West Coast Relays on Saturday, March 28, in Clovis, Calif.
