ARCATA, Calif. – Humboldt State track and field hit national qualifying marks and set personal records against regional competition during Saturday's Border Battle held in Redwood Bowl. 
 
The HSU women had a successful day with many strong performances. Marissa McCay, Ellie Earle-Rouse, and Brailee VandenBoom swept the women's high jump. McCay continues to improve and she finished with her personal best 5-10 in the high jump, hitting the national automatic qualifying mark. Freshman Earle-Rouse also recorded a personal best jump to finish second. Her mark of 5-7.75 is a national provisional qualifying mark, which ties her for 11th in nationals. Brailee VandenBoom finished third with a 1.58m.  
 
Earle-Rouse also recorded personal bests in the 800m and 100m hurdles races. Tatiana Gillick and Kori Gilley ran strong times in the 1500m, taking first and third respectively, as well as first and second in the 800m. The women's 4x100 team comprised of McCay, VandenBoom, Alyssabeth DeJerez, and Je-Ni Hardy recorded a new season-best time of 47.78.  Annie Roberts, Megan Alfi, Imogene Carson, Catie LeDesma, and Andie LeDesma finished in the first five positions in the 5000m.
 
In the throws, Ariel Oliver moved to eighth in the nation in discus with a new personal record of 49.40m, and she secured her spot at Nationals. Oliver also took first in the shot put (13.86m) and fifth in the hammer throw. Ashley Ross recorded a personal best of 33.69m, giving her a first place finish in the javelin. Lilly Bankas finished second in the discus and shot put.
 
"The 4x100s were very exciting to watch with such an evenly matched race for both genders," said Assistant Coach Sarah Ingram. "Both teams did great, and these are the events that make spectators love track & field. I'm glad we were able to put up such a strong showing on our home turf."
 
The men finished first in both the 4x100 and 4x400 relays, setting new season-best times. Dustyn Salomon and Chase Wheeler took first and third in the 1500m dash. CM April finished first in the steeplechase, qualifying him to the CCAA Conference Championship. Calvin Herman and Mario Kaluhiokalani took second and third in 110m hurdles and first and third in the 400m hurdles. Freshman DeReginald Walker took first in the discus and fourth in the hammer.
 
"It was a very exciting meet to have in our own Redwood Bowl, honoring our seniors, setting many marks to qualify athletes to NCAAs, some to CCAAs, and many individual athlete personal records in their events. It's a great way to finish our regular season competition, and we have great energy and spirit going into Conference and Nationals," said Assistant Coach Sarah Ingram. "We have more athletes qualified to Nationals this year than we have had in a long long time and it's an exciting time to be a Lumberjack. These athletes have worked so hard to reach their goals and have set the bar high. It's rewarding to see them do so well and to peak at the perfect time of year."