The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Commonwealth College Opener
Herron Sets American 500m Record at Commonwealth College Opener
12.03.2022 | Track & Field / Cross Country
LOUISVILLE, KY. – History was made during the season opener for the Texas track and field program at the Commonwealth College Opener on Saturday.
Brian Herron's winning time of 59.87 in the 500m set not only the NCAA record, but also the American record. His time sits at No. 2 in history of the event behind Abdalelah Haroun (58.83) of Qatar set in 2016.
HISTORY MADE! 🤘@BrianHerron400m is the fastest collegian ever to run the 500m with his time of 59.87 👀#HookEm pic.twitter.com/CLhZPe8CxR
— Texas T&F/XC (@TexasTFXC) December 3, 2022
Junior Yusuf Bizimana finished fourth with his time of 1:02.91.
On the women's side, Kennedy Simon set the second-fastest time in collegiate history in the 500m with her time of 1:08.59. Simon was just shy of the collegiate record set by Sage Watson of Arizona's time of 1:08.40 set in 2017.
No. 🤘 in @NCAATrackField HISTORY! @infamous_ken_ runs the 500m in 1:08.59 to win! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/0VrftTd230
— Texas T&F/XC (@TexasTFXC) December 3, 2022
Ackelia Smith set the world-leading long jump mark on her first jump of the 2022-23 season.
The sophomore won the event with her jump of 6.73m (22-1.00) and was the lone competitor to break the six-meter barrier on all three of her jumps. The mark also ranks as the second-best indoor jump in Texas history behind Tara Davis.
Sheesh Ackelia Smith 👀
— Texas T&F/XC (@TexasTFXC) December 3, 2022
6.73m (22-1.00) on her first jump of the season 🤘 That's the second-best jump in Texas history behind @tar___ruh! pic.twitter.com/DlIGdNcfWl
Kristine Blazevica finished fifth in the event with a jump of 5.81m (19-0.75).
Jathan Belaire helped Texas sweep both long jump events after winning the men's competition with a jump of 7.42m (24-4.25). All-American Leo Neugbauer finished second at 7.30m (23-11.5).
Back on the track, Julien Alfred won her season opener in the 300m dash with her time of 37.37. Sophomore Kevona Davis was the runner-up with her time of 37.77, while Emelia Chatfield rounded out the top-10 with her time of 40.11.
The men saw four runners finish in the top-10 of the 300m dash with Caleb Hulbin finishing fourth with a time of 33.82. Junior Marcellus Moore finished fifth at 34.08, while freshman Chris Brinkley debuted for the Longhorns with a sixth-place finish at 34.15. Nolton Shelvin added a seventh-place performance during his debut.
Brooke Jaworski began her junior season winning the 600m dash with a time of 1:31.37, while Rachel Helbling made her Texas track debut with a runner-up performance at 1:33.11.
Trinity Tomlinson finished third in the women's high jump, clearing 1.70m (5-07). Evelyn Lavielle and Claire Moreau made their Longhorns debut making 1.70m and 1.65m, respectively, while Chloe Davis also cleared 1.65m (5-5).
For the men, both Sam Hurley and Dylan Lineberger finished tied for sixth clearing 1.95m (6-4.75).
The Longhorns return to Louisville on Jan. 13 for the Cardinal Classic.
Players Mentioned
