HOUSTON – Friday's session of the Houston Alumni Invitational produced five winning efforts by Texas A&M amid a windy afternoon and early evening of action on the Tom Tellez Track at the Carl Lewis Complex.
Through four women's finals and three men's finals on the first day of the meet, the Aggie women scored 63 points while the men accumulated 46 to lead team scoring.
Madalaine Stulce claimed her second javelin victory this spring with a season best throw of 173-6 (52.89), improving upon the 172-1 (52.46) she won the UTSA Roadrunner Invitational two weeks ago. Teammates Kristen Clark (162-1 | 49.40) and Shaina Burns (123-8 | 37.70) completed a 1-2-3 sweep by the Aggies. Tyra Gittens finished fifth with a toss of 111-6 (33.99).
In the men's hammer, a season best effort of 201-7 (61.45) earn a win for Austin Cook, who was the only thrower to surpass 200 feet. Runner-up at 199-11 (60.93) was Uche Ugwunce of Rice.
Sam Hardin and William Petersson teamed up for a 1-2 finish in the men's javelin. An opening round throw of 235-8 (71.84) earned the victory for Hardin, who bettered the meet and stadium records.
"We wanted to use this meet to fix some of the smaller things we're doing wrong," noted Hardin. "William and I both came out of it feeling good. After my opening throw I was trying to work on carrying a bit more speed out of the back. My run-up was backed up a little bit today and it felt pretty good."
Petersson's best throw of 231-10 (70.66) came in the final round as he progressed on each throw. On the Aggie all-time list Petersson remains in the No. 11 position with his season best effort. For the 2018 season, Hardin currently ranks fifth among collegians while Petersson improves from 15th to 10th.
Emily Gunderson registered a win for the Aggies in the pole vault, clearing 13-1 ½ (4.00) to equal the meet record. Tulane's Rebekah Markel finished second with a 12-7 ½ (3.85). Gunderson used three attempts to get over 12-7 ½, while Markel made it on her second try. A first attempt clearance at 13-1 ½ moved Gunderson into the lead and she won when Markel was unable to make it over that bar.
The Aggies added a 1-2 finish in the men's 5,000m with Eli Canal winning the race in 15:35.63 as Nicko Enochs clocked 15:39.35 as runner-up.
Carissa van Beek finished second in the women's hammer with a 186-3 (56.76) while Celine Markert produced a career best of 176-5 (53.78) in placing third. Markert improves her mark as the No. 7 performer on the Aggie all-time list. Houston's Taylor Scaife won the event with a 203-9 (62.10).
Lauryn Barrientos led the Texas A&M crew in the women's 5,000m as she ran 17:55.28 to finish third behind a pair of runners from Rice, Khayla Patel (17:21.31) and Lourdes Vivas (17:28.52). Also scoring in the event for the Aggies were Maddie Vondra in fourth (18:05.73), Shelby McNeel in fifth (18:06.39) and Kaitlin Tanner in sixth (18:35.46).
Saturday's action will begin at 11 a.m. with field events while running events start at 11:30. The last events are scheduled to wrap up by 3 p.m.
Through four women's finals and three men's finals on the first day of the meet, the Aggie women scored 63 points while the men accumulated 46 to lead team scoring.
Madalaine Stulce claimed her second javelin victory this spring with a season best throw of 173-6 (52.89), improving upon the 172-1 (52.46) she won the UTSA Roadrunner Invitational two weeks ago. Teammates Kristen Clark (162-1 | 49.40) and Shaina Burns (123-8 | 37.70) completed a 1-2-3 sweep by the Aggies. Tyra Gittens finished fifth with a toss of 111-6 (33.99).
In the men's hammer, a season best effort of 201-7 (61.45) earn a win for Austin Cook, who was the only thrower to surpass 200 feet. Runner-up at 199-11 (60.93) was Uche Ugwunce of Rice.
Sam Hardin and William Petersson teamed up for a 1-2 finish in the men's javelin. An opening round throw of 235-8 (71.84) earned the victory for Hardin, who bettered the meet and stadium records.
"We wanted to use this meet to fix some of the smaller things we're doing wrong," noted Hardin. "William and I both came out of it feeling good. After my opening throw I was trying to work on carrying a bit more speed out of the back. My run-up was backed up a little bit today and it felt pretty good."
Petersson's best throw of 231-10 (70.66) came in the final round as he progressed on each throw. On the Aggie all-time list Petersson remains in the No. 11 position with his season best effort. For the 2018 season, Hardin currently ranks fifth among collegians while Petersson improves from 15th to 10th.
Emily Gunderson registered a win for the Aggies in the pole vault, clearing 13-1 ½ (4.00) to equal the meet record. Tulane's Rebekah Markel finished second with a 12-7 ½ (3.85). Gunderson used three attempts to get over 12-7 ½, while Markel made it on her second try. A first attempt clearance at 13-1 ½ moved Gunderson into the lead and she won when Markel was unable to make it over that bar.
The Aggies added a 1-2 finish in the men's 5,000m with Eli Canal winning the race in 15:35.63 as Nicko Enochs clocked 15:39.35 as runner-up.
Carissa van Beek finished second in the women's hammer with a 186-3 (56.76) while Celine Markert produced a career best of 176-5 (53.78) in placing third. Markert improves her mark as the No. 7 performer on the Aggie all-time list. Houston's Taylor Scaife won the event with a 203-9 (62.10).
Lauryn Barrientos led the Texas A&M crew in the women's 5,000m as she ran 17:55.28 to finish third behind a pair of runners from Rice, Khayla Patel (17:21.31) and Lourdes Vivas (17:28.52). Also scoring in the event for the Aggies were Maddie Vondra in fourth (18:05.73), Shelby McNeel in fifth (18:06.39) and Kaitlin Tanner in sixth (18:35.46).
Saturday's action will begin at 11 a.m. with field events while running events start at 11:30. The last events are scheduled to wrap up by 3 p.m.