THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — The Cal Lutheran's men's track & field team put up seven top marks in nation, including the top time for two events, before their season ended due to COVID-19.
CLU posted the top mark for the 400 meter hurdles and the 4x400 meter relay. The Kingsmen were also second in the 110 meter hurdles and 800 meters, third in the 400 meters, fourth in the 800 meters and sixth in the 4x100 meter relay.
The Kingsmen looked ready to contend for a SCIAC Championship, with the senior class helping lead the way. The five seniors include Rigoberto Baza, Chris Brodnax, Henry Friederichs, Connor Richter and Adam Silverman.
Baza (Chula Vista, Calif.) has been a member of the track and field team the past four years, competing in long distance events. He has competed in the 1500, 3000 and 5000 meters. In the CLU record books, he sits sixth in the 3000 meters with a time of nine minutes and 7.06 seconds. This year, he had the 48th fastest time in the nation for 5000 meters with 16:35.44.
Brodnax (Los Angeles, Calif.) was named a U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-Region after he finished with the top time in the region for the 400-meter dash with 48.31 last year. He has two such honors after being on the 4x100 relay team his freshman year. Brodnax has excelled at Cal Lutheran and is a four-time All-SCIAC honoree, twice in the 400 meters and twice being on a relay team. This year, he is on the 4x400 relay team that ranks first in the nation (3:18.78), fourth in the 400 meters (49.46), and is part of the 4x100 relay that is sixth (42.44). In the program record books, he is seventh in the 400 meters (48.31) and is part of the 4x100 relay team that is 10th (41.91).
Friederichs (Walcott, Iowa) has ran the past four seasons at Cal Lutheran. He has competed in a plethora of events, including 800 meters, 1500 meters, the mile, 3000 meter steeplechase and the 5000 meters. His fastest times include 1:58.97 in the 800, 4:13.07 in the 1500, 4:44.17 in the mile, 10:13.39 in the steeplechase and 17:15.83 in the 5000.
Richter (Simi Valley, Calif.) has competed for the Purple and Gold throughout the past four years. Individually, He has competed in the mile, 4x800 meter relay, 1500 meters and the 3000 meters. For team events, he was a part of the distance medley. Richter's fastest time for each event were 5:46.80 in the mile, 11:34.22 in the distance medley, 4:55.84 in the 1500 and 12:13.78 in the 3000. For the 4x800 relay, the team combined for 8:40.17. He is a member of the CLU Scholar-Athlete Society.
Silverman (Lancaster, Calif.) came to Cal Lutheran for his senior season. He quickly stood out in the throwing events and made a name for himself in the short time with the team. After just two meets, he ranked 14th in the nation for hammer (42.59 meters), 33rd in discus (37.16) and 42nd in shot put (12.09).
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Release by Ryan Jorgenson, Sports Information Director
