Into the Night

Saturday, May 7

Eagle Rock, Calif.

All Day

California Baptist University

Occidental Last Chance Qualifier

Photo by: Jacob Gonzalez

5/8/2016 7:52:00 AM | Men's Track, Cross Country & Track

By: Sammi Sheppard, Director of Sports Information

EAGLE ROCK, Calif. — In one of the last meets before the NCAA Division II Championships, California Baptist University looked to better its times and qualify more athletes, running late into the night Saturday.

Despite the 5K race not starting until 9:30 p.m., Valentin Robert didn't look tired as he grabbed his best time of his career so far. The junior crossed the finish line in 14 minutes, 16.39 seconds for 15th overall. The time betters Robert's previous provisional mark by almost 15 seconds, but isn't guaranteeing him two races at the Division II Championships.

While on the bubble in the 5K, Robert is guaranteed a spot in the 3K steeplechase event after grabbing an automatic Division II mark earlier this season. His steeplechase time of 8:50.89 is not only a CBU program record, it is also the second-best time in all of the division this season.

Anthony Lozano may also be on the bubble in 1500-meter, but he continues to improve and will have one more chance to punch his ticket to the championship meet. The junior finished under the provisional mark (3:51.68), but his time of 3:48.94 is still just three seconds off an automatic.

William Ernst capped off his collegiate debut with a personal-best time in the 1500m, finishing in 4:00.73. It was an impressive nine seconds faster than his previous personal record of 4:09.37.

Following in Ernst's footsteps, Jayden Emerson also improved on his time in the 1500m. The fellow freshman clocked in at 4:06.50, shaving six seconds off his previous best time.

The Lancers have to wait until May 16 to see who all will be making the trip to Bradenton, Fla., but also have one last chance at improving on times to further their chances for anyone on the bubble next week in San Francisco. Last year, CBU sent four runners into the event and saw two grab All-American distinction, with one finding a spot on the podium with a top-eight finish.