DENTON, Texas – The UTA track and field teams continued their impressive seasons on Saturday at the inaugural North Texas Classic. UTA received strong performances all over the track and in the field, collecting victories and podium finishes as well as elite conference times and school marks.
 
Rhiley Fritz broke her own school record in the javelin for the second time this season, this time launching a throw of 153-10 (46.88m). Fritz won the event by more than 13 feet. It is the second-best throw in the Sun Belt this season.
 
The UTA men were impressive in the sprints. Deontre Haynes, who boasts the top time in the SBC in the 100m, won the race in 10.37, while Isaiah McBride took third in 10.52. Haynes also was third in the 200 meters (21.20).
 
In addition, the Mavericks swept the medal places in the men's 400 meters with a photo finish between Brenden Wallace (47.83) and D'Undre Mitchell (47.89), and David Seastrunk (49.57) taking third.
 
Madeleine Rowe (2:13.87) and Victor Bocanegra (1:53.68) swept the women's and men's 800-meter titles. Both were season best times and among the top six efforts in the Sun Belt this year.
 
Also on the track, Victor Fincher won the 110m hurdles with a clocking of 14.11, the No. 2 time in the Sun Belt this season. In the field, Howard Grant brought home the long jump crown with a best mark of 22-9 (6.93m).
 
For the women, Vanessa Ugorji was runner up in the 400 meters with a clocking of 54.71. That run vaulted her into the top position in the Sun Belt this season. She also took third place in the 200m (24.60).
 
Additionally, the women's 4x100m relay team posted its best time of 2019 on Saturday (45.97) and the men made it a 4x1 sweep by running a 40.41.
 
Both the men and women also came up with big efforts in the hammer throw. Alexus Washington took second in the women's event with a throw of 169-9, which which ranks No.4 in UTA history. Meanwhile, Diamond Cardona was just off his personal best with a mark of 175-7 to place third. Nolan Daggs had a heave of 164-1 to earn a spot in the school's all-time top 5.
 
The Mavericks will take next weekend off before returning for the Mt. SAC Relays and John Jacobs Invitational.
 
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