Grand Canyon University athletes broke four program records during the Bryan Clay Invitational in Azusa, California, according to an April 19 announcement. The team also achieved several conference and region-leading performances against a strong national field.
The event was significant for the Grand Canyon Antelopes, who compete in NCAA Division I events and participate in the Western Athletic Conference under NCAA Division I rules, according to the official website. These achievements highlight both athletic tradition and support for student-athletes balancing academics and competition.
Graduate student Taryn Burkett led the Lopes by resetting her school record in the triple jump with a mark of 13.41 meters (44 feet), surpassing her previous best from two weeks earlier. This performance now ranks first in both the Mountain West Conference and West Region, as well as tied for fifth nationally. Junior Eva Lowder also broke a program record by clearing 4.35 meters (14 feet, 3¼ inches) in pole vault, overtaking Madelyn Lundberg’s mark from 2021. Lowder’s clearance leads the conference and places her among top vaulters regionally and nationally.
On the track, senior Germain Lemaitre improved his own school record in the 800 meters with a time of 1:47.2, finishing second overall at the meet while moving up regional rankings. Graduate hurdler Maria Sartin set another school record by completing the 400-meter hurdles in 59.33 seconds.
Other notable performances included sophomore Francisco Marques winning the 110-meter hurdles with a time that is second-best in conference standings; junior Taliyah Booker ranking sixth after clocking a fast time in the women’s 400 meters; and sophomore Nina Thevenin achieving strong times across sprint events. In jumps, Blake Heller recorded one of this season’s longest leaps within conference rankings while Antoni Smith and Eliot George excelled at high jump.
According to their official website, Grand Canyon Antelopes offer student-athletes opportunities for competition, development and academic success as part of their intercollegiate athletics program based at Grand Canyon University. With only one regular-season meet left before next month’s championships—the May 2 Desert Heat Classic—the team aims to build on its recent successes.
