LOS ANGELES, Ca.-Rachel Ross of Seattle Pacific University ran a personal record to finish fourth in the 800-meter dash at the Meet of Champions hosted by Azusa Pacific University Saturday afternoon.

Ross (Jr., Kennewick, Wa.) surpassed her own personal record by more than half a second, running a 2:08.05, to place fourth amongst a competitive field. The junior was the top collegiate finisher in her event and the 2:08.05 was the third best half-mile by an SPU runner in the school annals.

The Falcons got a number of stellar performances from several athletes. Cyrena Bell (Sr., Kent, Wa.) finished fifth in the 400-meters (57.21), and Karen Summers (Sr., Bremerton, Wa.) and Jawea Harder (Jr., Port Townsend, Wa.) came in third and fourth, respectively in the 400-meter-hurdles (1:02.43, 1:05.62) in the running events.

On the field, Seattle Pacific got second place finishes from Abby Harris (Sr., Auburn, Wa.) in the high jump and Natalie Dorow (Sr., Billings, Mt.) in the triple jump. Harris cleared the bar at 5'3 and Dorow leaped 37'7.05. While the Ross was setting a personal record in California, a hand-full of Falcon athletes competed at the Northwest Relays at Edmonds Stadium.

On the men's side, Kelsey Backen (Jr., Yakima, Wa.) ran a 4:02.1 to win the 1500-meters and Paul Mach (Fr., Seattle, Wa.) won the 400-meter hurdles in 55.9.

The women were led by Amy Cowden's win in the long jump (17'1.5) and Amber Rose's first place triple jump (34'2).

Dionna Anderson (Jr., Lynnwood, Wa.) threw the shot 40-11.5 for top honors as well.

The Falcons break until April 20, when they travel to Eastern Washington.