RESULTS
CORPUS CHRISTI – The Texas A&M – Corpus Christi track and field program hosted the Country Inn and Suites Islanders Dash at the Dr. Jack Dugan Family Soccer & Track Stadium on Saturday, and it turned out to be a successful day, as 18 different Islanders finished in the top three in their respective races.
"We did some really good things in today's meet," head coach Shawn Flanagan said. "We set some personal records, and even a school record, and I was really happy with what we did today. We are just trying to continue our progression, and I think that's what we did."
To start the day, the Islanders swept both the women and men's 3000-meters. Lara Huelsebusch barely beat out teammate AnnKathrin Ott, as it was a photo finish at the line with Huelsebusch beating Ott by .04 seconds, coming in at 10:54.27.
On the men's side, Philipp Baar turned it on in the final 400-meters to win the men's race at 8:58.09. Jason Garcia wasn't too far behind, as he came in third with a time of 9:07.02, while Justin Adame (9:14.11), Caesar Gonzales (9:15.33) and Daniel Guerrero (9:16.54) rounded out the fifth through seventh spots.
In the final early morning race, Christoph Hintz had a strong showing in the 3000-meter steeplechase by finishing second in a time of 10:14.94, which would put him at seventh in the Southland Conference.
Perhaps one of the best performances in the afternoon races came from Ebony Collins, as she finished first in the 100-meters with new personal record of 11.93, which is the second fastest time in the league.
Paul Hansel and Valentinas Rudys also picked up wins on the day for the Islanders. Hansel did so in the 1500-meters, coming around in 4:05.00, while Rudys made his two laps around the track to clock a 1:56.86.
In the women's 1500, Cecilia Jones had a good day, as she came in third with a 4:46.42, a mark that ranks eighth in the conference.
Another very strong performance in the sprints came out of freshman Angelo Garland, as he ran the second-fastest time in school history, while also finishing second in the 200-meters, with a time of 21.36.
The 400-meters saw two personal records set on the men's side for A&M – Corpus Christi, as Andres Salazar finished second with his best time of 49.08. Marcus Smoots clocked his fastest mark by finishing in 50.34.
In the only relays of the day, both teams for the Islanders recorded their fastest 4x100 times of the season, as the women's squad, comprised of Natasha Atkins, Ashley Rosebrough, Kirby Miller and Collins, teamed up for a time of 48.02, while it was Marcus Smoots, Garland, Salazar and David Carrillo coming around in 42.25 on the men's side.
Out on the field, A&M – Corpus Christi saw many of its competitors on the women's side have huge days. Omesha Locke had a very impressive performance, as she set a new school record in the discus with a throw of 44.74m (146' 9"). The mark also put her in fourth in the Southland. Vivian Rodriguez (37.89m, 124' 04") and Kaelin Simmons (36.22m, 118' 10") also set personal records in the event to finish in sixth and seventh, respectively.
Brandi Huff joined Rodriguez in the shot put, as the duo took two of the top three finishes. Huff had the best mark on the day in the event, despite running back and forth between the high jump, as she posted a throw of 13.52m (44' 4.25"). Rodriguez finished third with her mark of 12.76m (41' 10.50").
In the high jump, Huff finished fourth by clearing 1.58 (5' 2.25"). However, it was Kerrisa Wiley who got over the tallest height of the day, as she cleared 1.66m (5' 5.25") to win the event and tie for second in school history, as well as in the Southland.
Two jumpers had good days for the Islanders as well, with Marissa Ellis finishing second in the triple jump with a mark of 11.51m (37' 9.25"), while Atkins came in third with a leap of 5.57m (18' 3.25") for a new personal record. Ellis also finished sixth in the high jump with a mark of 1.53m (5' 0.25").
The teams will return to action on Friday, April 11, and Saturday, April 12, when they take part in the UIW Invitational in San Antonio. Live results will be posted on CardinalAthletics.com and updates will be provided throughout the event on Twitter (@IslandersTFXC).
