The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Track and Field's distance crew makes big impact
01.22.2016 | Track & Field / Cross Country
Katie Ruhala, Men's DMR claim victories
Post-Meet Notes
Power Five Invitational Results | Cherry & Silver Results
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Texas Track & Field teamed up with a handful of other top programs to take on a group of teams from the SEC at the Conference Clash Power Five Invitational and the Longhorns made an immediate impact on the meet Friday night.
In the SEC vs. Power Five dual format, Texas contributed big time in the distance events on the first day of action.
Katie Ruhala claimed the first victory of the meet for the Longhorns as she crossed first in the 5,000 meters. Freshman Meghan Lloyd also made an impact finishing in third place.
To close the night, the team of Alex Rogers, Byron Robinson, Robert Uhr and Brady Turnbull put together a winning effort in the men's distance medley relay. The DMR group finished in 9:47.12 to set a new Birmingham CrossPlex facility record. That time also could be near the top of the list nationally after this weekend's action at other meets. The best time of the year heading into this weekend was BYU's 9:54.18.
"The men's DMR ran a really nice season opener," Head Coach Mario Sategna said. "Coach Herbster said we haven't run that fast even at the conference championships in a while, so we're way ahead on that event right now."
In field event action on Friday, Nick Phynn took second for the men's squad in the triple jump. Phynn posted a leap of 15.48 meters (50-9.50). It was an improvement on his mark last week and ranks among the Top 20 in the NCAA so far this season. Freshman Asa Garcia finished fourth with a jump of 12.82 meters, just one centimeter shy of her mark last week.
While the majority of the team was in Birmingham for the Power Five Invitational, the pole vaulters and throwers are competing in Albuquerque, N.M. at the Cherry and Silver Invitational with stellar showings.
Senior Reese Watson won the men's pole vault competition after clearing 5.35 meters (17-6.50). Two other jumpers cleared 5.35 on second attempts similar to Watson but Watson got the edge by not having any other misses in the competition on previous heights.
Lauryn Caldwell did not come away with a win Friday night for the Longhorns in New Mexico, but had one of the most impressive performances. The sophomore finished fourth in the women's weight throw with a toss of 17.21 meters (56-5.75). That mark is an improvement on her personal record by nearly six feet. It also makes her the No. 3 performer in school history in the event.
In the only other event Texas competed in on Friday at the Cherry and Silver Invite, Alan Zapalac posted another PR in the weight throw. Zapalac finished second with his toss of 19.39 meters (63-7.50). It improves on his throw from last week by two centimeters.
Sategna said he was pleased with the performance of his team in Birmingham as the Longhorns look forward to returning again at the end of the indoor season. He also was happy to hear about great showings from the team in New Mexico.
"It's a great facility. It's where the national championship is going to be held so we wanted to get out here and get a lay of the land and against the type of talent that we're wanting to go against," Sategna said of the Birmingham CrossPlex. "You can definitely see some things coming together. Overall, it was a great day one from New Mexico as well as here in Birmingham."
Ruhala Claims Victory for Texas
Texas got its first win of the weekend in the women's 5,000 meters as Katie Ruhala ran 17:16.57. Ruhala led the way with freshman Meghan Lloyd finishing in second place. Lloyd finished in 17:23.60.
"Katie got out slow and showed good confidence as the race went on," said Assistant Coach Brad Herbster. "She had a nice effort the last mile."
Lloyd was initially ruled to have finished third but it was discovered a runner from Florida State ran one less lap than require to move Lloyd into second.
Women's Sprinters Advance
Texas showed its strength in the 60 meters on Friday night at the Power Five Invitational as well as the 60 meter hurdles.
The combo of Morolake Akinosun and Teahna Daniels advanced to the final the 60 meters after rolling in the prelims. Daniels ran 7.28 seconds with Akinosun clocking in at 7.32. They finished second and fourth in the prelims, respectively.
Two Longhorns also advanced to the final in the 60 meter hurdles. Ariel Jones posted her second personal record in as many weeks as she crossed the line in 8.39 seconds to advance. Freshman Ashley Miller ran 8.41 seconds to move on as well.
For the men, AJ Bailey also advanced to the final in the 60 meters. He ran a personal best 6.77 seconds during prelims to move on. That time also was No. 2 in the preliminary heats.
Freshman John Burt ran 8.11 seconds in the men's 60 meter hurdles to post the fastest time by a freshman in the prelims and narrowly missed making the final.
Players Mentioned
