Hernon Sets 400m Record at Challenge Cup

Friday, April 10

Fullerton, CA

1:15 PM

UC Irvine

Challenge Cup

Hernon Sets 400m Record at Challenge Cup

April 10, 2026 | Women's Track & Field

Results

FULLERTON, Calif. - UC Irvine women's track & field produced seven top-10 marks, highlighted by Aoife Hernon's 400m school record Friday at the Challenge Cup in Fullerton.

Hernon, who was competing in her second 400m of the season, crossed the finish line in a lifetime-best 54.05 to win the event. She topped the 35-year-old school record of 54.32 that was set by Shelly Tochluk (1991). Hernon now holds the top 400m times in both outdoor and indoor program history.

Catalina Teran was the 400m runner-up, clocking a lifetime-best 55.32 to rank seventh on UCI's all-time charts.

Nyla Baker was a double champion with personal records in both the shot put and discus. In the discus, Baker hit a PR of 52.01m (170-7) on her second attempt to move up to No. 2 in school history. She also improved on her No. 3 mark in the shot put with a toss of 15.78m (51-9.25).

The Anteaters went 1-2-3 in the shot put as Pinkie Schnayer took second (14.36m/47-1.5) and Leilah Lauifi placed third (13.99m/45-10.75). Lauifi's mark was a personal best that cracked UC Irvine's top-10 at No. 8.

DeAna Davis was the runner-up in the hammer throw where she notched a personal-best 58.67m (192-6). Davis, who is second in program history, was just four feet shy of the school record.

Kailah McKenzie won the high jump with a season-best clearance of 1.71m (5-7.25).

Samantha Bartz led the 'Eaters in the 200m where she finished third in a personal-record 23.91. Her time is fifth among UCI's all-time leaders. Sarah Ajayi also clocked a PR 60.91 in her 400m hurdle season debut.

UC Irvine will be back in action next week with four local meets as the Anteaters are slated to compete in the Mt. SAC Relays (April 15-18), Bryan Clay Invitational (April 16-18), Pacific Coast Invitational (April 16), and Beach Invitational (April 17-18).