AZUSA, Calif. – Caltech distance runners competed in the Bryan Clay Invitational Friday at Azusa Pacific University amid cool temperatures and damp conditions, and two Beavers ran their way into the history books with new record times.
Sophomore
Sophie Dalfonzo (Fair Haven, N.J. / Biotechnology & Rumson-Fair Regional) endured the Women's 10,000-meter event, finishing in 36:59.04, smashing her previous personal record and claiming the fastest time in Caltech Women's Track & Field history, just over 38 seconds faster than the previous record set in 2019 by Claire Hu. The sophomore ran the first 5,000 meters in 18:45 and closed the second 5K in 18:14.
Later,
Joey Litvin (Ardmore, Pa. Lower Merion) competed in the men's 5000-meter race, crossing the finish line in 14:37.51, besting the previous Caltech record set in 2015 by Aditya Bhagavathi. The junior distance specialist finished 21st out of 107 finishers from all three NCAA divisions, and this past Fall he represented the Beavers at the 2022 NCAA Cross Country Championships.
Head Coach
Kelli Blake was ecstatic with the showings from her two record-breakers.
"Watching them break the records was awesome – they are both so deserving of great performances and they strive to maximize their potential every day," said Blake. "We are lucky to have one of the best college track meets in the country just 20 minutes from Caltech. Sophie and Joey did a phenomenal job taking advantage of the opportunity to race with great competition and great weather."
Also competing at the event was first-year
Gigi Pistilli (Portola Valley, Calif. Woodside), who ran in the Women's 5000 and finished in 18:23.05. She currently holds the program's fourth fastest time in the event with her 18:12.37 finish at last month's Occidental Distance Carnival & Spring Break Classic.
Blake and the Beavers are back at it tomorrow for their third SCIAC multi-dual meet of the season, hosted by Claremont-Mudd-Scripps colleges and also featuring the teams from Whittier College and the University of La Verne.
