Women’s track highlights J. Fred Duckett Twilight meet

Jorge+Ayala+launches+a+throw+during+the+shot+put+at+the+Roadrunner+Invitational+two+weeks+ago.+Ayala+has+recorded+one+podium+finish+for+the+Runners+this+season%2C+which+came+back+in+January+at+the+Aggie+Invitational.+

Ryan Garza

Jorge Ayala launches a throw during the shot put at the Roadrunner Invitational two weeks ago. Ayala has recorded one podium finish for the ‘Runners this season, which came back in January at the Aggie Invitational.

Julia Maenius, Magazine Editor

The UTSA track and field team competed in Rice University’s J. Fred Duckett Twilight meet in Houston on April 24. Leading up to the Conference USA Outdoor Championships, the Roadrunners have established podium finishes throughout the outdoor season.

The men’s team was led with a fifth-place finish from Andrew Pirog in the 400-meter hurdles. Crossing the finish line .27 seconds behind Houston Baptist’s Garrett Gibson, Pirog led the men’s team’s success with a 52-second race. In the field events, UTSA recorded two top-ten finishes. Jorge Ayala threw a 15.61-meter shot put to land a ninth-place finish. Angel Robles followed suit .35 meters behind Ayala with a 15.26-meter toss. 

Alanah Yukich’s 400-meter hurdles success highlighted the women’s effort in Houston. Yukich recorded a silver finish 57.57 second run, setting the second fastest time in school history and was a top collegiate finisher in the event. Sofia Salinas recorded a 2:16.60 time in the 800-meter for a sixth-place finish. Abby Balli crossed the finish line in the 5,000-meter race seventh with a 18:06.30 time. Faith Roberson followed Yukich’s performance in the 400-meter hurdles with a sixth-place finish at 1:00.98 time. UTSA held three of the top ten finishes in the long jump with fifth, sixth and eighth-place finishes. Sigrid Kleive led the charge in the long jump with a leap of 5.07 meters. Amaya Scott finished directly behind Kleive with a 5.96-meter jump. Maren Wilms rounded out the jumpers with a 5.81-meter finish. Maia Campbell finished at the top of the ‘Runners’ roster with a fifth-place finish in the shot put with a throw of 14.83-meters. Lacee Barnes followed suit with a 14.60-meter throw for a sixth-place mark. Barnes placed eighth in the discus with a 41.02-meter toss. Campbell finished tenth in the hammer throw with a 50.61-meter throw.

The ‘Runners will be back in action in College Station at the Texas A&M Alumni Muster meet, Saturday, May 1, before traveling to Murfreesboro, Tenn. For the Conference USA Outdoor Championships May 13-16.