Jan. 19, 2008

Wes Kittley Invitational

LUBBOCK, Texas - - UT Arlington junior distance runner Idilio Campos helped UTA close out an impressive season-opening performance by the Mavericks men and women this weekend in Lubbock. Campos clocked a 1:53.00 to win the 800-meters on Saturday at the Wes Kittley Invitational in Lubbock.

Saturday's meet was the second meet in two days for the Mavericks, who competed in the Texas Tech Inviational on Friday.

Campos showed that he should once again be a factor this season at the conference meet, considering that his best 800-meter time last indoor season was 1:54.86. And his performance in Lubbock on Saturday was the faster than his 1:56.22 that earned fourth place as last season's indoor conference meet. Campos finished third in the SLC last season in the mile, but did not compete in that event at the Wes Kittley event.

Campos was just one of the many bright spots for UTA over the two days.

UTA freshman Cordero Gray finished third in the 55 meters on Saturday with a 6.45. A day earlier at the Texas Tech Invitational, Gray captured the event title with a 6.36. Eddie Beckwith clocked a blazing 47.53 on Friday to win the 400 meters.

UTA also captured the top two places in the men's triple jump on Saturday. Andrew Duncan jumped 45 feet, 8 inches, followed by teammate Tristan Williams with a 42-8.

UTA's women turned in its best finish in the 800 meters. Kisha Jackson ran a 2:18.96 for second place in that event, while Perri Ford finished fourth with a 2:22.52.

Jasmine Walls led the Mavericks women on Friday. The sophomore from Pearland finished second in the 55 meters and first in the 200.

UTA's next meet is Feb. 2 at the Nebraska Invitational.