NORMAN, OK – The UT Arlington track and field teams had themselves a day at the J.D. Martin Invitational. There were quite a few top 5 finishes, many PR's set and a 13 year old school record broken.
Jade Bontke broke the school record in the 600-yard run with a time of 1:23.25 and finished in 1st. Megan Turner set the record in 2010 with a time of 1:25.34. Bontke finished 2nd in the 60m hurdles with a time of 8.80. She also placed 3rd in the long jump with a jump of 5.73m, 4th best in the WAC, and 7th in the shot put with a throw of 12.19m.
Joel Bengtsson finished in the top spot in the 60m hurdles with a time of 7.80, just missing breaking his own school record. He should remain atop the WAC leader boards after he finished with a better time than his already league leading 7.86 time. Currently is tied for 20th in the nation. In the 60m dash prelims, he set a PR with a time of 6.90.
Lauren Walls-Portillo finished in 1st in the 800m run with a time of 2:18.31, which would place here in 5th on the WAC leader boards. She also finished 3rd in the 1 mile run with a time of 5:12.29.
Mikeya Washington finished 2nd in the 60m dash with a PR of 7.46. This moves her up the WAC leader boards from 3rd to 2nd.
Lucas Van Klaveren finished 3rd in the pole vault with a height of 4.75m, tied for 6th best in the WAC. Also finished 7th in the long jump with a jump of 6.78m.
Josue Granados finished 2nd in the 1 mile run with a time of 4:21.09, a new PR for him.
Abigail Flores got the day started off for us in the weight throw with a 4th place finish with a throw of 17.01m. This is the 5th best throw in program history and the 8th best throw in the WAC so far this season.
Among the other UTA top-10 finishers and/or personal bests set on Friday:
- Faith Shaw finished 4th in the long jump with a PR of 5.72m, 6th best in the WAC.
- Malaiya Jedkins finished 5th in the long jump with a PR of 5.61m, 8th best in the WAC. She also finished 3rd in the triple jump with a jump of 11.89m.
- McKinley Novacek finished 4th in the high jump with a PR of 1.65m, currently tied for 7th best in the WAC.
- Josh Hoekendorf finished 3rd in the weight throw with a throw of 15.82m, 10th best in the WAC.
- Krianne McBride finished 2nd in the 800m run with a time of 2:19.00. Also finished 6th in the 1 mile run with a time of 5:22.91.
- Isabel Borrego finished 9th in the 1 mile run with a time of 5:34.04.
- Nolan Walker finished 4th in the 60m hurdles with a PR of 8.21, 6th best in the WAC.
- Jorrdyn Dunn finished 5th in the 600-yard run with a time of 1:17.52. He also set a PR in the 60m hurdles with a time of 8.48.
- Tres Rodriquez finished 7th in the shot put with a PR of 13.88m.
- Austin Nkwoparah finished 10th in the shot put with a PR of 12.48m.
- Calyha Brown finishes 4th in the shot put with a throw of 13.67m, 8th best in the WAC.
- Jarvis Miles finished 5th in the 400m dash with a time of 50.29, 11th best in the WAC.
- Calen Jones finished 4th in the high jump with a PR of 2.05m, tied for 4th best in the WAC.
- Erlend Raa finished 5th in the high jump with a PR of 2.05m, tied for 4th best in the WAC.
- Krystal Igbo finished 5th in the 60m hurdles with a time of 9.06. Also finished 9th in the 200m dash with a time of 26.44.
- Shelby West finished 3rd in the 400m dash with a time of 59.76. Also finished 6th in the 60m hurdles with a time of 9.16.
- Claire Compher finished 3rd in the 3000m run with a time of 10:27.85.
THOUGHTS FROM COACH
"Joel and Jade continue to perform at a high level. Mikeya ran very well again in the 60. Lucas' return from injury in the pole vault and long jump was important, shows his leg is fine," said Head Coach
John Sauerhage. "We're looking forward to next week at Texas Tech already."
NEXT UP
UTA is back in action on Jan. 26 through the 28 as they travel to Lubbock to participate in the Texas Tech Open & Multis.
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