The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Tyson Invitational
Track and Field 4x400 Relays Dominate on Big Stage
02.13.2016 | Track & Field / Cross Country
Men break school record, women post No. 4 time in NCAA history
Post-Meet Notes
Complete Results: Tyson Invitational | Husky Classic
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The 4x400 meter relay is the last race at track meets because of the excitement it brings. On Saturday at the Tyson Invitational, it was the Texas Longhorns that made it worth watching.
The women's team of Chrisann Gordon, Morolake Akinosun, Ariel Jones and Courtney Okolo put together a performance for the record books. The Longhorns clocked in at 3:27.94 for the win in commanding fashion in the invitational section of the event.
Texas led the whole way and Okolo proved to be the best 400 runner in the nation. After running a split of 50.77 at the Power Five Invitational earlier this year, Okolo improved on that mark by running her anchor leg in 50.59 seconds. The team's time of 3:27.04 ranks No. 4 in NCAA history and is the fastest time during the regular season with the three faster times all coming at the NCAA Championships.
"To me there's still another gear there. I know Courtney split 50.59 today, but you see her finish up healthy and walk off the track like it's nothing," said Head Coach Mario Sategna. "They know what's at stake for the NCAA's, but more importantly we've got the Big 12's coming up first and it's going to be a dog fight with Kansas State. They're very tough and a well-balanced team."
4x400 = 3:27.94. No. 4 all-time in NCAA. Okolo splits 50.59! #HookEm #TysonInvite pic.twitter.com/3E80bmJ4xK
— Texas T&F/XC (@UTexasTrack) February 13, 2016
The men's team then shattered the school record during the invitational 4x400.
Zack Bilderback, Chris Irvin, Byron Robinson and AJ Bailey, Jr. already broke the school record once this season. This time, they cut nearly two full seconds off their time, crossing the finish line in 3:04.41. That time also ranks No. 13 in NCAA history.
"To break the school record by two seconds and have the No. 1 time in the country, that's been a long time coming," Sategna said. "I'm really proud of that group. It all starts off with senior Zack Bilderback. He's a seasoned veteran, and they can run faster and they will in the right setting. Anytime you put up those types of performances to end the meet it bodes well for the entire program."
Men's 4x400 follows with 3:04.41! School record. No. 13 in NCAA history. #HookEm #TysonInvite pic.twitter.com/DXE2PJcEGW
— Texas T&F/XC (@UTexasTrack) February 13, 2016
While the 4x4's were busy wowing the crowd in Arkansas, senior thrower Ryan Crouser was in Seattle at the Husky Classic breaking his own school record.
Crouser posted a mark of 21.28 meters (69-9.75) to get the win and reclaim the No. 1 spot in the NCAA this season.
"This performance continues to demonstrate that Ryan is one of the best shot putters in the world," said Assistant Coach Ty Sevin. "This performance will serve as a great springboard for both the Big 12 meet and NCAA Championships."
Sophomore N'Dia Warren-Jacques finished fifth in the women's shot put to keep the strong showing from the throwers going at Husky Classic.
The Longhorns will be taking next week off from competition to rest and train in preparation for the Big 12 Championships in Ames, Iowa, in two weeks. Texas looks to defend its titles on both the men's and women's side after completing the double sweep indoors and out in 2015.
Pole Vaulters Makes Push in Seattle
Sophomore pole vaulter Kally Long has put herself in position to qualify for the NCAA Championships in March with another stellar performance on Saturday night. Long cleared a new personal record with a height of 4.30 meters (14-1.25) to finish fourth at the Husky Classic.
Long finished behind a trio of Washington Huskies and is now tied with Texas senior Kaitlin Petrillose for No. 11 on the NCAA list this year. The top 16 in every event qualifies for the NCAA Indoor Championships.
"I'm very happy for Kally. She has worked really hard to position herself among the best jumpers in the NCAA," Sevin said. "This group of women's pole vaulters are very talented and work extremely hard, which has created a culture in which many of them are going to jump very high."
Petrillose finished in a tie for fifth at the Husky Classic with her clearance of 4.15m (13-7.25). Sophomore Shay Petty cleared 4.00m (13-1.50) to give her four straight meets over at least 4.00 and give Texas another threat to score high at the conference meet.
On the men's side at the Husky Classic, freshmen Barrett Poth and Blake Scott each posted PR's. Poth won the second section with a mark of 5.23m (17-1.75) while Scott was right behind him at 5.08m (16-8.00). They finished fifth and 12th overall after the third and final flight was finished.
In that final flight senior Reese Watson posted a season-high with his clearance of 5.43m (17-9.75) to finish in second place behind Washington's Jax Thoirs. Watson is now in a comfortable position to qualify for the NCAA Championships with the No. 7 mark in the nation.
Mid-Distance Group Shines in Seattle
The first running event of the day for the Longhorns at the Husky Classic in Seattle brought one of the top performances in school history.
Mary Beth Hamilton clocked in at 2:07.90 in the 800 meters to finish 17th overall and become the No. 7 performer in school history. Freshman Gabby Crank won her heat and finished 26th overall with a time of 2:10.73 in a very large field.
In the mile, the men's trio of Alex Rogers, Brady Turnbull and Logan Emery ran well. Rogers finished 17th overall in an event that saw seven athletes run sub-4. Rogers ran a personal best 4:03.47 to just miss cracking the Top 10 in school history. Turnbull finished 21st with his best time of the season at 4:05.19. Emery finished with a PR of 4:07.20 to take 28th.
Jumpers Soar at Tyson
Texas had its top triple jumpers in action at the Tyson Invitational and one came away with season-bests. Freshman Asa Garcia finished seventh in the women's invitational section with her leap of 12.91 meters (42-4.25). That mark also moves her into No. 5 in school history. For the men, Nick Phynn took ninth with his jump of 15.17m (49-9.25).
A group of high jumpers also had a good day for the Longhorns at the Tyson Invitational on Saturday.
It started when Spencer McCloud posted a runner-up finish in the men's high jump. He cleared 2.06 meters (6-9.00) and just barely clipped the bar while attempting to tie his personal record of 2.11 meters.
Pentathlete Ashtin Zamzow competed in a three events this weekend as training for the Big 12 Championships. After posting a PR in the hurdles on Friday, she just missed doing so in the high jump as well. She cleared a season-best 1.66 meters (5-5.25) to finish sixth.
Players Mentioned
