FULL RESULTS
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Texas A&M – Corpus Christi track and field teams wrapped up competition in the Southland Conference Indoor Championships on Thursday with three Islanders making the podium to go along with five school records going down once again.
Overall, the men's team had a record setting day, tallying 43 total points, which is the highest point total ever for the men, as it finished in eighth. The women improved on last year's point total, racking up 22 this year to put them in 11th.
"The teams did well," head coach Shawn Flanagan said. "It's a big improvement over what we've done in the last couple of years. We have a long ways to go to get to the promise land, but we are moving in the right direction and I like where we sit heading into the outdoor season."
Phillip Baar had the highest finish of the day, earning a silver medal in the 3000m by clocking an 8:30.58.
The other two Islanders who made it on the podium each picked up third-place finishes. Valentinas Rudys did so in the mile, running a time of 4:13.79 to set a personal record with a mark that is second in the Islanders' record book.
Angelo Garland bettered his record setting performance from a day ago to pick up his bronze, as he crossed the line in 48.47 in the 400m. David Carrillo would have been the new record holder in the event if it wasn't for Garland's performance, as Carrillo came in just 0.05 seconds behind him with a 48.52 to finish fourth in the event.
Also running to a new school record was Jasmine Boutte, setting a new top time in the 800m, coming around in 2:14.58 to finish in fourth.
The 4x400 teams also contributed to the demise of previous records. The women's team comprised of Shanice Prendergast, Ashley Rosebrough, Sidney Siepert and Ebony Collins took down the old school record by four seconds with a time of 3:58.02 to finish 11th in the event.
The men came in sixth en route to setting a new record, as Garland, Cordarius Edmondson, Andres Salazar and Carrillo teamed up to clock a 3:17.71 to finish sixth.
The fifth record to fall on Thursday came in the women's shot put, with Vivian Rodriguez setting the mark at 12.41m (40' 8.75") to place 11th in the event. All the other throwers also had a strong day, as Adrienne Nickleson (12.25m, 13th), Omesha Locke (12.21m, 15th) and Kaelin Simmons (12.03m, 17th) all broke 12m for the first time in their careers.
After breaking the school record in the mile a day ago, Cecilia Jones couldn't quite achieve the same feat Thursday, but still ran a 5:05.12 to finish fifth in the event and pick up four points for her team.
Also having strong performances in the prelims on day one was Collins, as she finished seventh in the 60m in a personal record time of 7.63, while placing eighth in the 200m in 25.39 seconds.
Also having noteworthy performances in the final day were Daniel Rhodes, who finished sixth in the 800m (1:57.91), and Dustin Smith, as he became the first male athlete for the Islanders to compete and finish the heptathlon. Smith came finished 13th with a total of 4,245 points.
With this marking the end of the indoor season, the Islanders will open their 2014 outdoor season in a big way, as they host their first meet at the Dr. Jack Dugan Family Soccer & Track Stadium. The Country Inn and Suites Islanders Open collegiate meet is set for Saturday, March 15, with the high school meet prior to it on Thursday, March 13.
For the latest information, follow the teams on Twitter and Instagram (@IslandersTFXC) and Facebook (Texas A&M Corpus Christi Track & Field/Cross Country).
Photos courtesy of Michael Wade/Southland Conference
