LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Utah Valley's track and field team manufactured a strong opening in their first 2019 outdoor meet at the UNLV Spring Invitational in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Wolverines returned to Orem with seven first-place finishes, movement in the UVU top ten list and vast expectations for the remainder of the outdoor season.
Albert MacArthur had a powerful outdoor start for UVU, competing in the long jump and clearing a final mark of 7.68m. This distance is MacArthur's second-best career jump while at Utah Valley and could double as a potential qualifying mark for NCAA regionals.
According to TFRRS, MacArthur currently sits at number two in the nation in the long jump, only .02m behind number one, Kemonie Briggs of Long Beach State.
Alex Lawrence comes off of a big finish in the WAC Indoor Championships, claiming yet another first-place title in pole vault at a height of 4.95m.
Andre Jones pressed for first place in the 400m hurdles for the Wolverines, crossing the line victoriously at 53:31.
Utah Valley's 4x400m relay team, including
Andre Jones,
Jordan Peterson,
Jordan Carder and
Seth Dabb, pushed through a gold medal finish, claiming the win at 3:18.99.
In the shot put,
Daven Russell threw 16.79m to secure second-place at UNLV.
Lamek Keditukei found himself in a second-place finish in the 800m run at 1:55.5.
Anthony Ocegueda and
Brandon Edmondson took a third and fourth place finish in the 1500m run. Ocegueda at a time of 3:56.22 and Edmondson crossing at 3:57.75.
Aaron Johnson, a freshman for UVU, produced a new personal record in the long jump at 6.80m.
Hannah Branch opened up a run of victories for the women, claiming the 5000m race for the Wolverines at a finishing time of 16:43. Teammate,
Maggie Zwahlen, came in right behind Branch at 17:50.
Savannah Neuberger stood on the first-place podium in the 1500m run at 4:30.95. This was a personal best for Neuberger and moved her into the top five spot on the existing UVU top ten list.
Tierra Orr produced a new Utah Valley school record in the high jump. 1.71m was her new mark and will now go in the 2019 record books under her name.
Aisha Graham-Perez nailed the first-place position in the 800m run at a crushing time of 2:10.75. This victory also moves Graham-Perez to a number three spot on the UVU top ten list as well.
Courtney Paddock,
Abby Garlock,
Savannah Neuberger and
Aisha Graham-Perez of the UVU women's 4x400m relay team took a close second-place finish behind UNLV, finishing with a time of 3:49.44.
Courtney Paddock was successful in second-place in the 400m run at a time of 56.28.
On deck for Utah Valley, the Wolverines will head to the Golden State to compete in the UC Riverside Spring Classic from March 21-23. Preparation will continue for UVU with the upcoming home collegiate meet and WAC Outdoor Championships.
