Glendale, Ariz. - Arizona Christian closed out the indoor portion of its 2024 track and field schedule at the Gaucho Indoor Invitational on Saturday. Nine athletes set personal records at Glendale Community College, five of them imprinted as top-10 all-time performances in ACU history. Other schools who competed include Pima Community, Mesa Community, Glendale Community and Park Gilbert. 

The Firestorm posted three personal bests in the 300 meter, as Alonzo Paul (37.07 seconds) and Zachary Holland (37.98 seconds) ran times that rank in the top-50 of the NAIA, 36th and 48th respectively. 

Shot put was a particularly strong event for ACU, as three athletes (TaHaj Acoff, Tully Farmer, Drew Gertenrich) threw for a spot in the top-10 in program history. Acoff, reigning GSAC Male Field Athlete of the Month, earned a second place finish out of 17 competitors with a throw of 15.07 meters that is also second in ACU history.

Freshman Brent Nelson Jr. nearly broke his triple jump record by half a meter (13.02 meters) and Manny Valenzuela shaved time off his personal bests in the 300 meter (39.27 seconds) and 400 meter (56.37 seconds).

Over five indoor meets, the Firestorm racked up 11 top-10 performances in program history and saw 30 personal bests fall.

EVENT DETAILS

Gaucho Indoor Invitational (February 10th)

Location- Glendale, AZ
Start Time- 10:00 AM

Full Team Results: https://results.wingfootfinish.com/meets/29859 

RESULTS

60 Meters (Prelims)

• Lionel McPhaull- 7.30 sec (12th/43)
• Alonzo Paul - 7.35 sec (17th)
• Tyrus Allen- 7.41 sec (20th)
• Brady Ferris- 7.51 sec (26th)
• Zachary Holland- 7.63 sec (35th) 
• Xuru Ren- 8.21 sec (41st)

200 Meters

• Tyrus Allen- 23.82 sec (PR and 22nd/36)
• Zachary Holland- 24.18 sec (29th)
• Brady Ferris- 24.52 sec (30th)
• Xuru Ren- 26.75 sec (35th)

300 Meters

• Alonzo Paul- 37.07 sec (PR, 4th/14, #36 in NAIA)
• Zachary Holland- 37.98 sec (PR, 9th, #48 in NAIA)
• Manny Valenzuela- 39.27 sec (PR, 13th)
• Xuru Ren- 42.17 sec (14th)

400 Meters

• Manny Valenzuela- 56.37 sec (PR and 17th/19)

3000 Meters

• Brandon Ericson- 9:00.29 (2nd/5)

60-Meter Hurdles

• Thaddious Thurman- 8.77 sec (2nd/9)

4x400 Relay

• ACU- 3:34.44 (2nd/3; Alonzo Paul, Malaki Cowan, Tyrus Allen, Lionel McPhaull)

Shot Put

• TaHaj Acoff- 15.07 m (PR, 2nd/17, 2nd all-time for ACU men)
• Tully Farmer- 12.65 m (PR, 8th, 5th all-time for ACU men)
• Drew Gertenrich- 11.70 m (PR, 12th, 9th all-time for ACU men)
• Harrison Still- 9.75 m (14th)

Long Jump

• Jase Carasquillo- 6.59 m (5th/14)
• Malaki Cowan- 6.02 m (PR and 9th)
• Brady Ferris- 5.67 m (12th)

Triple Jump

• Brent Nelson Jr.- 13.02 m (PR and 5th/7)

THOUGHTS FROM COACH BRIAN BELL

"We couldn't be more happy with where our team is right now, and give all the credit to God," Coach Bell said. "The athletes and coaches have become a very close family. The amazing performances we have seen are a testament to the hard work the assistant coaches and athletes have put in. We are excited for the upcoming outdoor season beginning in March."

NEXT UP FOR THE FIRESTORM

The Firestorm shift their focus to the outdoor track and field season, with the RCC Invite (Hosted by Riverside City College) on March 1st. They will spend the next two weeks refining their craft prior to a trip to Riverside, California. Keep up with ACU Men's Track and Field this 2024 season by following @acufirestorm on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.


Roll Storm!