Pepperdine's track team is set for a busy weekend, with five athletes participating in the prestigious Stanford Invitational while others compete at the Moorpark Invitationals and the Mike Fanelli Track Classic. Head coach Lauren Floris noted this is the largest group they've ever sent to Stanford, emphasizing the importance of competing at a high level. The events will feature Brittany Rivas, Kian Alton, Elijah Gentry, Lizzy Crawford, and Parker Buchheit, with solo competitor Gordy Nilsen participating in the 10K. The overall goal is to elevate their performance through competition. The Waves will regroup for the Pomona-Pitzer Invitational on April 11.

By the Numbers
  • Five runners will compete at the Stanford Invitational.
  • Brittany Rivas set a personal record of 1:03.69 in the 400-meter hurdles.
  • Gordy Nilsen recorded a time of 14:31.41 in the men's 5K.
  • The 4x400-meter relay team set a program record of 3:16.13.
Yes, But

Despite the excitement around competing at Stanford, some may argue that the pressure of racing against top-tier talent could affect performance negatively for less experienced athletes.

State of Play
  • The Stanford Invitational occurs Friday and Saturday, starting at 10 a.m. for other competitors.
  • Competition for the Moorpark Invitationals begins at 11 a.m. Friday.
  • Last week, the team secured two top-ten times at the Bob Larsen/Jim Bush Invitational.
What's Next

The team will assess their performance at these competitions and make strategic adjustments leading into the Pomona-Pitzer Invitational on April 11, where they will seek further improvements.

Bottom Line

Pepperdine track is poised for a challenging yet highly beneficial weekend, leveraging the opportunity to compete against elite athletes in hopes of pushing their limits and enhancing their skills.