(This is a look back at one of the best performances of the 2023-24 season.)

Feb. 19, 2024

ALBUQUERQUE – The UT Arlington track and field team showed out in day one of the WAC Indoor Championships at the Albuquerque Convention Center. 1st-place finishes from Glodis Thuridardottir (pentathlon), Randon Gray(pole vault) and the 4000m distance medley relay team consisting of Jackson Cichon, Rogelio Aguirre, Adam Herrera and Jacob Ye highlighted a successful day one. 
 
In an astonishing jump off took place in the late morning during the pole vault against Randon Gray and three Grand Canyon University leapers, resulting in the lone Maverick coming out on top. 
 
With a previous indoor PR of 5.05m during the Robert Platt Invitational back in January, Gray ranked 6th in the conference coming into the indoor championships. But the Burleson, Texas native not only took home 1st with an unfathomable 5.37m leap, but his mark also set the school record.
 
"It was incredible to watch," said head coach John Sauerhage. "Randon having a great day pumped everyone up. We are not only fired up for tomorrow, but we got a shot at both titles."
 
Glodis Thuridardottir started the day off for UTA with a tremendous effort in the pentathlon, scoring 3838 points in the five-combined events to take home 1st place, gaining 10 points. Her point total not only crushed her previous indoor PR, but it also sits 3rd all-time in the school record book. The native of Iceland also recorded an indoor PR in the high jump (1.56m), shot put (11.63m), long jump (5.43m) and the 800m (2:23.62s) during the combined events. 
 
In the women's 5000m, Matro Jepkemboi took home 2nd place with a mark of 16:55.53s, which gained 8 points towards the women's title run.
 
In the second to last event of the day, Jackson Cichon, Rogelio Aguirre, Adam Herrera and Jacob Ye took home the podium in the 4000m distance medley relay. The Mavericks first attempt at the event all season resulted in a 10:01.81s finish for a 1st place finish.
 
Abigail Flores claimed 6 points towards the women's team total with a 17.96m toss in the women's shot put.
 
ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS FROM COACH
"We have a tremendous lineup for tomorrow," said Sauerhage. "We're in good position to score a lot of points. Can't wait to see how it turns out tomorrow."
 
 ADDITIONAL POINT FINISHES

• Josh Hoekendorf recorded an indoor PR in the men's weight throw with a 16.97m toss. His 8th place finish gained a point in the men's title run.
• In the women's pole vault, Simona Cabella (3.78m) and Sophia Allen (3.63m) snagged 6 points towards the team total. Allen's leap cleared her previous indoor PR by .15m.
• Brady Shadrick currently sits in 2nd place in the heptathlon with 2977 points, trailing the leader by just 7 points. 

NEXT UP
Day two is on deck for the Mavericks tomorrow with events kicking off at 9 AM with finals on tap for the entire day, crowning a team champion in the process.
 
FOLLOW ALONG
Follow the UTA track and field and cross country teams on X (@UTAMavsTFXC), Instagram (@UTAMavsTFXC) and Facebook (/UTAMavsTFXC).