CORPUS CHRISTI – It was a historic day for the Texas A&M – Corpus Christi Track & Field program, as it was able to showcase its brand new Dr. Jack Dugan Soccer and Track Stadium as part of the Country Inn and Suites Islanders Open.
The Islanders had a strong showing in their inaugural home meet, as it had seven different members of the team finish in first place in their perspective events.
In the early morning races, the Islanders dominated in the long distance events, sweeping both the 3000m and 2000m steeplechase. On the men's side it was Philipp Baar sweeping both events, as he finished first in the 3000m with an 8:36.88, followed by a performance of 6:15.91 in the steeple. Baar won the two races by a combined total of more than 43 seconds.
The Islanders also had two third-place finishers come in behind Baar in the two events, as Daniel Guerrero (8:56.74) did so in the 3000m, while it was Christoph Hintz (6:46.70) in the steeple.
For the women, Regina Salinas dominated the 3000m, finishing 20 seconds ahead of any other competitor in a time of 10:17.76. Coming in third in the event for the Islanders was Alexandria Rossi, crossing the line in 10:38.49.
Lara Huelsebusch paced the Islanders in the women's steeplechase, as she came in more than 20 seconds ahead of any other runners, splashing and hurdling her way to a time of 7:24.20.
A&M – Corpus Christi also ran very well in the other longer distance race of the day, as five Islanders finished in the top 10 in the 1500m. Four of which were on the women's side, with Salinas having another strong performance, coming in second with a time of 4:47.60. Also in the first heat were Brandie Garcia (4:54.21) and Ann-Kathrin Ott (4:58.51), crossing the line in fourth and seventh, respectively.
Samantha Hardin came in first in her heat of the 1500m, finishing eighth overall in 4:59.72.
For the men, it was Edgar Martinez leading the way in the race, as he came in behind two Southland Conference foes from Incarnate Word to place third in 4:12.42.
The team also had success in the half mile, with three Islanders claiming the top three spots collegiately in the men's race. It was Paul Hansel (1:56.21) coming in second overall and first against university runners, while Joseph Hefner (2:00.50) and William Scott (2:00.83) were the next two across.
For the women, Jasmine Boutte was the second collegiate competitor to finish the race, clocking a time of 2:19.51, while Ashley Mills finished ninth overall (2:24.24).
In the 200m Ashley Rosebrough had one of the best races of the day. Despite running in the second heat, Rosenbough notched the best time of the day in the event, crossing the line in 57.09.
Both the women and men performed well in the high jump, as four different competitors finished in the top five.
For the women, it was Kerrisa Wiley who tied for second with a clearance of 1.66m (5' 5.25"), while Marisa Ellis came in fourth 1.58 (5' 5.25").
On the men's side, only one person beat out Dallas Owen, as he finished tied for second by clearing 1.93m (6' 4"). The winner was a familiar face, as former A&M – Corpus Christi standout Roger de la Cruz won the event with a vault of 2.06 (6' 9").
Also with a strong day in the field were the throwers, as three different Islanders finished in the top 10 in the shot put. It was all on the women's side, as it was Vivian Rodriguez (12.90, 42' 4"), Kaelin Simmons (11.72, 38' 5.50") and Omesha Locke (11.72, 38' 5.50"), finishing fourth, fifth and eighth, respectively.
Locke also had a solid showing in the discus, with a third-place performance, tossing a 39.95 (131' 1").
Every first place-finish on the day became a new facility record, since this was the first meet at Dugan Stadium.
The Islanders will be right back in action a week from this meet, as they will compete in UTSA Texas Challenge Invitational in San Antonio.
For the latest information, follow the teams on Twitter and Instagram (@IslandersTFXC) and Facebook (Texas A&M Corpus Christi Track & Field/Cross Country).
