The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Michael Johnson Invitational
Throwers battle tough conditions at Baylor
04.22.2017 | Track & Field / Cross Country
Crouser grabs win in javelin at Michael Johnson Invitational
Complete Results | Texas Meet Notes
WACO, Texas – Poor weather made for tough conditions at the Michael Johnson Invitational on Saturday as the Texas throwers and pole vaulters battled Mother Nature alongside their competitors.
Haley Crouser got another victory in the javelin with an impressive showing in the cold conditions. She posted another throw over 50 meters, measuring 50.65m (165-3) for the win. It was another dominant win with the runner-up 13 feet behind her.
Assistant Coach Ty Sevin said despite the poor weather he was proud of how his group responded and still managed to post some of their best throws of the year.
"Today wasn't about performances because of the inclement weather for most of the people competing," Sevin said. "It was about putting yourself in a situation to overcome adversity, and it was a learning experience for people to learn how to compete in cold weather."
One event that did see the Longhorns thrive was the hammer throw.
Alan Zapalac registered his best throw of the season and was just six inches shy of his personal record. He finished fifth on a throw of 61.05 meters (200-3). That mark ranks him seventh in the Big 12 this year and puts him position to score points at the conference championship meet.
For the women, the tandem of Lauryn Caldwell and Elena Bruckner finished 3-4. Caldwell posted a mark of 54.08 meters (177-5) to put another big throw out close to her school record from earlier this season. Bruckner was just a few centimeters short of her personal best from last week as she tallied 52.94m (173-8).
Caldwell and Bruckner both had strong overall days with each competing in three events. Bruckner took second in the shot put with Caldwell finishing third. Then in the discus, Bruckner was third and Caldwell eighth.
Bruckner battled Baylor senior Cion Hicks throughout the day with Hicks getting the best of her in the shot put by less than eight inches, but Bruckner answered by defeating her in the discus.
"Elena went head-to-head with Cion and Cion got her by just a few inches in the shot put," Sevin said. "It was great to see her battle with one of the other top throwers in our conference and get a taste of what it will be like at the conference championship in a few weeks."
Following up his win and personal record in the discus last week, Brian Peterson took second this time around. He was not too far off his mark from the Texas Invitational as he posted 55.46 meters (181-11).
The pole vaulters had to deal with strong crosswinds, creating less than ideal jumping conditions.
Junior Kally Long cleared 4.21 meters (13-9.75) to finish second behind Baylor senior Annie Rhodes.
Texas returns home next week for its fine tune-up before the conference championship meet. The team will host the Longhorn Invitational on Friday and Saturday at Mike A. Myers Stadium for two days of exciting action. Admission to the meet will be free both days.
Coach Talk
Assistant Coach Ty Sevin – Throws/Pole Vault
On the hammer throw: Solid marks for Alan in the hammer. Lauryn backed up her school record with another nice throw and Elena was right off her PR from our home meet last week, so I was very pleased with how the hammer throw went for the men and the women.
On Haley Crouser: Haley had another 50-meter throw and got a win, which was great heading into the last few weeks of the season.
Players Mentioned
