McWilliams Further Improves Pole Vault Record

SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Texas A&M-Corpus Christi earned three event wins on day one of the UIW Invitational, as Hannah McWilliams further improves on the Islander pole vault record she set earlier in the outdoor season.

Clearing a height of 4.20m, McWilliams bested the 4.15m she produced three weeks prior, further increasing her program's all-time best in the event. Her tally was good enough to place first among all college-attached participants and ranks sixth in the NCAA West Region, barring incoming results from the remainder of the weekend. The Blue and Green senior now ranks 11th in all of Division I track and field, and is .20m better than any other SLC athlete in 2018.

In the men's events, Islander freshman James Manders took fourth among collegiates in the pole vault, while clearing a mark of 4.85m. De Kwan Wynn would set a new personal record over at the long jump, with his leap of 6.75m, claiming seventh among college athletes participating.

The Corpus Christi women dominated the UIW Invitational 1500m, claiming three of the top-five spots in the race. Allyson Girard finished first overall at a pace of 4:30.99, the second fastest time in Islander program history. The junior was followed closely by teammate Rabea Schoneborn in second, who posted a 4:34.84 in the first 1500m of her college career. Morgan McCutchen rounded out the Islanders' top-three in the event, taking fourth with a new PR of 4:47.26.

The Islander men swept the 5000m podium, with Isaac Vargas (15:23.26), Cesar Gonzalez (15:26.57) and Jordan Wright (15:29.48) finishing in order. Freshman Valentina Campos recorded a personal record of her own in the 5000m, finishing a full 22 seconds ahead of the field at 17:52.12. 

COMING UP NEXT
Day two of the UIW Invitational is set to start this Saturday at 1 PM, starting with both the men's and women's discus and high jump events. 

Top Islander Performances
Women's Pole Vault
1. Hannah McWilliams (4.20m) - PR & SR

Men's 5000m
1. Isaac Vargas (15:23.26) 
2. Cesar Gonzalez (15:26.57)
3. Jordan Wright (15:29.48)

Women's 5000m
1. Valentina Campos (17:52.12) - PR

Women's 1500m
1. Allyson Girard (4:30.99)
2. Rabea Schoneborn (4:34.84)
4. Morgan McCutchen (4:47.26)

Men's Pole Vault
4. James Manders (4.85m)

Men's Long Jump
7. De Kwan Wynn (6.75m) - PR

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