AUSTIN, Texas – UTA's 4x100m relay team's school record run highlighted the men's performance at the 2019 NCAA Track & Field Championships on a hot and humid Wednesday at Mike A. Myers Stadium.
Seniors
Isaiah McBride,
Deontre Haynes,
D'Undre Mitchell and
David Seastrunk opened the meet by posting a time of 39.23 to smash the old school record (39.55) by nearly a quarter of a second.
In addition, the time was the fourth-fastest clocking in Sun Belt Conference history. Overall, UTA placed 11th, which will earn all four athletes Second Team All-America accolades. The final qualifying time for the finals was 39.00.
It is the fourth time in school history that UTA has had an All-American men's 4x100m relay squad, and the first occasion since 2014. The 11th-place showing is the third-best finish in school history behind only a fifth-place effort in 1996 and an eighth-place landing in 2000.
In the Mavericks' lone individual event,
Erik Martinsson finished 11th in the 800 meters with a time of 1:48.35. He also will be tabbed as a Second Team All-American. It was an 11-spot improvement from his finish a year ago in Eugene, Ore. The school record holder led the bulk of his third and final heat before finishing in fifth position.
Martinsson then anchored the 4x400m relay, which finished 16th overall with a time of 3:07.35. Martinsson was joined by senior teammates Mitchell, Seastrunk and
Brenden Wallace. As a result, the squad also will receive Second Team All-America honors.
UTA was one of just 11 schools in the nation, and the only in the state of Texas, to have both of its men's relay teams at the national meet. On Wednesday, UTA was one of only five to have their squads both finish in the top 16. It marked the first time in school history that both Maverick teams advanced to the NCAA meet.
Alexus Henry will have the opportunity to defend her NCAA title in the women's high jump when she competes Saturday at 5 p.m. The high jump competition will air on ESPN3. Live results will be
available. Single day tickets are also
available.
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