By Ron Smith
March 20, 2026
 
(RICHMOND, Va.) For the first time since 2022, Westmont Men's and Women's Track and Field head coach Russell Smelley took his teams to his alma mater (University of Richmond) to participate in the Fred Hardy Invitational.  The trip also included touring historic sites on the East Coast.
 
Following the dual meet with UCSB on Friday, March 11, the Warriors caught an early-morning flight the next morning to the nation's capital. While in Washington, they visited the Marine Corps Memorial in Arlington, the National Cathedral, the National Mall and surrounding museums, and Union Station. They also took a nighttime tour of the national monuments.
 
On the drive from Washington to Richmond, they visited the Fredericksburg Civil War battle field for, 'a perspective on what led to the Battle of Gettysburg.' After a stroll through historic colonial Williamsburg, the team visited the College of William and Mary, including the sunken lawn designed by Thomas Jefferson.
 
Smelley conceded that the teams were, "having more history lessons from me than they could imagine."
 
The Fred Hardy Invitational, which is named after Smelley's coach when he was a student at Richmond, began with the shot put and hammer throw on Thursday, March 17. Westmont's David Oyebade placed fifth in the men's hammer with a throw of 49.27 meters (161-07). In the women's hammer, Ella Pickering placed sixth with a throw of 37.46 meters (122-10).
 
Field events continued on Friday and included Joel Nakazawa placing fifth in the men's discus with a throw of 43.34 meters (141-10). In the women's pole vault, Madeleine Koenig cleared a personal record of 3.60 meters (11-9.75), to take second place. Mady Billinger captured fourth with a vault of 3.35 meters (10-11.75).
 
"Elias Duay set a men's pole vault personal record by clearing the opening height, which was higher than his previous PR," reported Smelley. "He cleared an additional bar as well."
 
Duay finished fourth with a mark of 3.55 meters (11-7.75).
 
In the women's javelin, Alyssa Abbott notched fifth place with a throw of 26.30 meters (86-03). John Sakaguchi placed seventh in the men's long jump, recording 6.48 meters (21-3.75) on his first attempt.
 
Track events were all conducted on Friday. William Covington, competing in the 3000 meter race, posted a time of 8:40.03 to take seventh place.
 
"William broke the freshman 3000 meter record of 8:44 set by Michael Oldach (2017-20), who was in attendance, after a dynamic final 600 meters," pointed out Smelley.
 
Westmont's 4 x 100 meter women's relay team, consisting of Hannah Krause, Ava Shaffer, Grace Soberanis and Charlotte Williams placed fifth in a time of 48.38.
 
"The 1500 meter first-year men showed well," recalled Smelley. "Hunter Skoglund met the PacWest qualifying mark with a time of 3:57.37, while Kaeden (4:01.63) missed by one second." Skogland claimed sixth place in the event.
 
Gabe LaBorin also placed sixth, competing in the 110 meter hurdles and finishing in a time of 15.93.
 
The women's team ended the meet with a fourth-place finish in the 4 x 400 meter relay. Soberanis, Izabella Guerrero, Kayla Wheatley and Williams crossed the finish line in a time of 4:04.13
 
"It was a gratifying day to have the Warriors perform well for themselves at my alma mater," said Smelley. "I can imagine Coach Hardy talking with them and imploring them to keep getting better."
 
The Warriors return to Santa Barbara for another busy week of track and field. On Thursday and Friday, Westmont will host the Adams-Klein Combined Events consisting of the men's decathlon and the women's heptathlon. Then on Saturday, March 28, the Warriors will host the Westmont Classic.