SAN CLEMENTE – Newport Harbor alum Marty Taylor etched his name in the Asics Triton Invitational record book with a mark of 59 feet, seven and a half inches in the shot put last year.
While in the comforts of his own shot put ring, Kelsey Benoit decided to break that record not once, not twice, but three times.
Benoit finished first in the shot put with a best of 62-3 to set a new Triton Invitational record on Saturday at San Clemente.
“I knew I had it in me, but in recent competitions and practice I didn’t think I had this in me,” Benoit said. “I think I was way more relaxed today since this is my place. I kind of knew the ring, so I just stayed relax and had a meet record on the first throw. After that I knew I was in the driver’s seat.”
Benoit set a new record twice before hitting his winning mark. His performance in shot put drew high praise from his coach.
“That was, this early in the season, one of the most impressive series that any senior thrower has ever had that I’ve been around for the last 20 years,” San Clemente shot put coach Kevin Corbett said.
The shot put wasn’t the only event Benoit finished in first place in. He also won the discus competition by throwing 177-8.
Esperanza freshman Bronson Osborn had an impressive day and showed a glimpse of what’s to come the next four years when he cleared 172-7 in the discus. Osborn also finished in third in the shot put.
Benoit’s triumphs weren’t the only success the Tritons would earn for the day. Melissa Eisele ran a 4:56.23 in the 1600, which is good enough for sixth best in the state in and tops in the county.
Eisele grabbed the lead at the very end of the first lap and never relinquished it. She also took first in the 3200 at the South County Classic last week.
“I think I’ve just been taking track more seriously, because I’ve always been more of a cross country runner,” Eisele said. “It’s been awesome (the last two weeks). Especially that it’s been at my home track twice.”
A week after claiming the crown in the 110 and 300 meter hurdles at the South County Classic, Santa Margarita’s Austin Tinsely took first in this third hurdles race in the past week at San Clemente
Tinsley posted a time of 14.86 in the 110 hurdles.
“The only thing I don’t like is I have to change out my spikes every other time,” Tinsely said about his success at San Clemente. “Other than that, I love running here. There’s a lot of people here, a lot of competition, it’s just a fun race all together.”
