The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Mt. SAC Relays
Three Longhorns in action Thursday at Mt. SAC Relays
04.18.2013 | Track & Field / Cross Country m, Track & Field / Cross Country
Mt. SAC Relays: Schedule | Heat Sheets | Live Results
Longhorn Invitational: Schedule | Live Results | Mike A. Myers Stadium Fan Guide
April 18, 2013
WALNUT, Calif. - Rory Tunningley improved his chances of advancing to the NCAA West Regional with an impressive performance during Thursday's action at the Mt. SAC Relays.
Tunningley, one of nine athletes competing at the prestigious three-day meet for the sixth-ranked Men's Track and Field team, clocked a personal-best time of 29 minutes, 30.36 seconds in the 10,000-meter Invitational Elite race. He finished 14th in the 28-man field which featured a number of professionals.
Most importantly, his time moved him from 29th to 12th on the NCAA Division I West qualifying list. The athletes with the top 48 times/marks advance to the NCAA West prelims, which will be held next month in Austin.
Brady Turnbull, also looking to post a regional qualifying time, crossed the finish line of the 1,500 Open race in a personal-best 3:47.23, the best performance by a Longhorn this season. He finished tied for 16th in the 132-man field, though a number of heats were pushed to Friday due to warm conditions at Mt. San Antonio College's Hilmer Lodge Stadium.
Patrick McGregor was scheduled to compete in one of those postponed heats.
Turnbull's time should place him among the top 35 on the NCAA West qualifying list. But he will try to improve that mark Friday when he heads to Azusa Pacific to take part in the 1,500 at the Bryan Clay Invitational.
Mark Pinales was the third Longhorn in action Thursday. The sophomore clocked a time of 30:09.04 to finish 18th in the 10,000-meter Olympic Development race. His season-best time of 30:08.09, posted at the Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays, ranked No. 30 in the West Region entering this week.
In addition to McGregor, five other Longhorns will be in action Friday.
Kyle Merber and Trevor Van Ackeren will race in the 1,500 Invitational. Ryan Dohner is entered in the 5,000-meter Invitational, Craig Lutz will compete in the 5,000 Olympic development race and Daniel Vertiz will run in the 5,000m Open event.
The rest of the team will participate in Saturday's Longhorn Invitational, a one-day, non-scored meet, at Mike A. Myers Stadium. Field events start at noon and running events begin at 3 p.m.
TEXAS ENTRIES/RESULTS - Mt. SAC Relays (All times Central)
Walnut, Calif. - Hilmer Lodge Stadium
Thursday, April 18
- 1,500 Meters - Open: t-16. Brady Turnbull, 3:47.23
- 10,000 Meters - Invitational: 14. Rory Tunningley, 29:30.36
- 10,000 Meters - Olympic Development: 18. Mark Pinales, 30:09.04
Friday, April 19 (All times Central)
- 1,500 Meters - Invitational (9:06 p.m.): Kyle Merber, Trevor Van Ackeren,
- 1,500 Meters - Open (9:12 p.m.): Patrick McGregor
- 5,000 Meters - Invitational (11:10 p.m.): Ryan Dohner
- 5,000 Meters - Olympic Development (11:25 p.m.): Craig Lutz
- 5,000 Meters - Open (11:40 p.m.): Daniel Vertiz
TEXAS ENTRIES - Brian Clay Invitational (All times Central)
Azusa, Calif. - Cougar Stadium
Friday, April 19
- 1,500 Meters (12:20 p.m.): Brady Turnbull
