By Jacob Norling
April 24, 2021
 
(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) For the time in seven seasons for the men, and three seasons for the women, Westmont's Track and Field teams watched a different GSAC school hoist the conference championship trophy. The Men finished second behind Arizona Christian and the Women finished second behind William Jessup following the final day of the 2021 GSAC Championships.
 
"It's always a great weekend to have everybody here," said Westmont head coach Russell Smelley. "It's a beautiful setting and it was a great competition. Our Women's team was fantastic and our men did everything they could, and I'm proud of all of them.
 
GSAC Freshman of the Year Zola Sokhela stole the show for the Warriors on Saturday in what is doubtful to be the last day he finishes atop the GSAC Championship leaderboard. Sokhela won the men's 800 meter run and also the men's 1500 meter run, and then closed out the day by solidifying the Warriors victory in the men's 4x400 when he served as Westmont's anchor.
 
In the 800 Sokhela won it with a time of 1:53.49, and in the 1500 he completed it in a GSAC-best 3:58.66. In the 4x400 Dylan Lambert, Jason Peterson, and Jarad Harper got the baton to Sokhela with the race hanging in the balance, but then Sokhela pulled away from Arizona Christian's Justin Redmon with a second to spare. The men finished the relay in 3:19.55, while ACU posted a time of 3:20.45.
 
"It goes without saying how impressive (Sokhela) has been," said Smelley. "He's been competing very well and he was great this weekend."
 
Sydney Marr continued her historic career at Westmont on Saturday, as she finished first in the women's hammer throw with a mark nearly ten meters further than the second-best. Marr won the event with a throw of 54.10 meters (177-06). Marr also finished third in the women's shot put.
 
On the track, Westmont's Women's team finished second in both the 4x400 and 4x800 relays, with times of 4:03.94 and 10:02.15 respectively.
 
In the women's 1500 meter run, Madden Hundley and Anneline Breytenbach finished second and third behind TMU's Arianna Ghiorso with times of 4:44.53 and 4:47.88 in that order.
 
Kristen Mohrhoff finished second as well in the 400 meter dash, as she posted a time of 59.55, which was a little over a second behind William Jessup's Rebecca Hardy.
 
"Obviously Sydney was great in the throws," said Smelley. "Kristen really stepped up in the 400, and in the 400 hurdles. She was really great then, and in two relays as well. Kristen was probably the athlete of the meet for us."
 
The teams get back in action on May 13 when they host the Warrior Invitational across three days. After that, the Warriors will prepare for the NAIA Outdoor National Championships which begin in Gulf Shores, Alabama on May 26.
 
Before turning the page however, Coach Smelley was sure to congratulate the new GSAC Champions, which included the GSAC Women's Track and Field Coach of the Year, Westmont graduate Jeff Magley (Class of '98).
 
"It's fun to have one of our alum' win, Jeff is doing a great job. And then Ted Campbell (head coach at ACU), I remember seeing him compete as Azusa back in the 80's and I've known him a long time so I'm pleased for him too."