Several improve qualifying marks at Glendale Invitational

  GLENDALE, AZ - With the NJCAA national track and field championships looming, a number of Mesa athletes either improved their qualifying marks, or beat the standard for the first time, at the Glendale Invitational.

  Among the women, Beatriz Martinez (So., Chandler, AZ/Chandler H.S.) is now seventh in the 1,000 at 3:02.76. She has also qualified in the mile.

  Dana Brady (So., Bradenton, Fla/Saguaro (AZ) H.S.) improved to fifth in the pole vault with a jump of 10-6 and Shiloh Donaldson is 11th at 10-0.

  Karlie Kjerstad (So., Chandler, AZ/Chandler H.S.) now ranks 12th in the 3,000 with a time of 10:55.98.

  For the MCC men, Terran Blanchard (Fr., Tracy, Calif/Perry (AZ) H.S.) ran a 6.96 60-meters.

  Jordan Brooks (Fr., Mesa, AZ/Red Mountain H.S.) is on the list in the 600 at 1:24.59.

  Matt Garcia (So., Phoenix, AZ/Sunnyslope H.S.) improved to 51-5 1/2 in the weight throw.

  The distance medley relay team has qualified at 10:31.39.

  Mesa has one more chance to increase its standing when it competes in the Central Arizona Indoor in Coolidge, AZ. Saturday.

  The national championships will be held March 6-7 in Albuquerque, NM.