TEMPE, Arizona – Opening day of the 20th annual Baldy Castillo Invitational included a handful of career best performances for the Aggies in the women's hammer, men's steeplechase and 1,500 meters. Action continues Saturday with a full slate of events, starting with Shelbi Vaughan, two-time defending NCAA champion, in the women's discus.
Alex Riba led a contingent of Aggie middle distance runners in the 1,500 meters as he finished third in a close finish with a career best time of 3:47.14, moving to No. 12 on the A&M all-time list. Kentucky's Lou Styles won the race in 3:46.86 as Peter Corrigan placed second in 3:46.87. Riba's previous best of 3:48.66 was set on the Sun Angel track a year ago.
Austin Wells finished the race in eighth place, clocking a 3:49.56 to also set a career best as he improved the 3:52.19 he ran last season. Other Aggies in the event included Christian Farris (15th overall, 3:52.46) and Nathan Ricketts (16th, 3:52.71).
Elliott Farris and Ryan Teel combined for a fifth and sixth place finish in the 3,000m steeplechase. The event was won by Minnesota's Aaron Bartnik in 9:03.39 with Kentucky's Spencer Hrycay runner-up in 9:06.40. Farris clocked 9:11.45 while Teel finished in 9:25.09 as both set career best times in the race.
Carissa van Beek finished seventh in the women's hammer with a mark of 194-4 (59.25) that she produced on her very first throw. The career best effort for van Beek moves her to No. 4 on the Aggie all-time list, with the No. 9 performance, and to No. 3 on the all-time South African list.
In the women's 1,500 Katie Willard led the Aggie crew, placing 12th overall with a time of 4:33.76 as Katie Watson finished 15th in 4:35.89. Karis Jochen ran 4:41.01 while Arin Rice did not finish due to an injury.
Alex Riba led a contingent of Aggie middle distance runners in the 1,500 meters as he finished third in a close finish with a career best time of 3:47.14, moving to No. 12 on the A&M all-time list. Kentucky's Lou Styles won the race in 3:46.86 as Peter Corrigan placed second in 3:46.87. Riba's previous best of 3:48.66 was set on the Sun Angel track a year ago.
Austin Wells finished the race in eighth place, clocking a 3:49.56 to also set a career best as he improved the 3:52.19 he ran last season. Other Aggies in the event included Christian Farris (15th overall, 3:52.46) and Nathan Ricketts (16th, 3:52.71).
Elliott Farris and Ryan Teel combined for a fifth and sixth place finish in the 3,000m steeplechase. The event was won by Minnesota's Aaron Bartnik in 9:03.39 with Kentucky's Spencer Hrycay runner-up in 9:06.40. Farris clocked 9:11.45 while Teel finished in 9:25.09 as both set career best times in the race.
Carissa van Beek finished seventh in the women's hammer with a mark of 194-4 (59.25) that she produced on her very first throw. The career best effort for van Beek moves her to No. 4 on the Aggie all-time list, with the No. 9 performance, and to No. 3 on the all-time South African list.
In the women's 1,500 Katie Willard led the Aggie crew, placing 12th overall with a time of 4:33.76 as Katie Watson finished 15th in 4:35.89. Karis Jochen ran 4:41.01 while Arin Rice did not finish due to an injury.