LA JOLLA, Calif. - Kaia Schmidt led the UC Irvine women's track & field team with a school and stadium record in the steeplechase Friday at the Triton Invitational.
 
Schmidt won her second steeple race of the year in a 17-second personal-best 10:16.88. Her PR topped UCI's previous standard of 10:20.11 that was set by Hannah Chau in 2023. Schmidt also broke an 18-year-old Triton Track & Field Stadium record of 10:19.67. Breckyn Kornachuk added a fourth-place showing (11:04.87).
 
Cynthia Herrera paced the Anteaters in the 5000-meter where she clocked a lifetime-best 17:19.89 to come in third. Nicole Contreras (17:32.50) and Jackie Pan (17:36.89) were seventh and ninth, respectively. Grace Baxter also notched a personal-record 17:40.00 (11th).
 
In the field events, DeAna Davis took sixth out of 37 in the hammer with a toss of 56.12m (184-1). Giselle Rodriguez contributed a top-10 showing in the javelin as she came in seventh at 40.38m (132-5). Nyla Baker competed in the elite section of the discus (48.29m/158-5).
 
The 'Eaters return to La Jolla tomorrow for the remainder of the Triton Invitational. The field events are scheduled for a 9 a.m. start while action on the track begins at 11 a.m.