Islander Sprinters Fly High In Abilene

ABILENE, Texas - Texas A&M-Corpus Christi records multiple personal records at this Thursday's ACU Oliver Jackson Twilight, as Kendall Rodriguez runs one of the fastest 400m hurdles in program history.

Sierra Pruitt got things started for the Islanders in the 100m dash on Thursday afternoon, running to third with a time of 11.87 (w). The junior sprinter's time beats her previous all-time best by .37 seconds, while her 24.52 in the 200m tied a PR in fourth place overall.

Makalah Griffin recorded a personal best of her own in the 200m, with her time of 25.76 (w), and would go on to take ninth in the 400m later in the evening with another PR time of 59.27. 

The Blue and Green had a day in the hurdles, with Chloe Young taking second in the 100 with her pace of 14.40 (w). Kendall Rodriguez set a new PR in the 400H for the fourth time this year, crushing the previous best she set earlier this season by nearly two full seconds. Rodriguez crossed the finish line in first with a time of 1:00.67, as her mark currently ranks fifth in the Southland Conference, and second in the history of Islander track.

Sophomore Kevin Jaymez tallied a pair of personal records with respective times of 15.11 (w) and 55.07 in the 110 and 400. The hurdler came in fourth during the 110m hurdles with his wind adjusted marker. 

In addition to their sprinters, the Islanders had five athletes compete in the pole vault, long jump and high jump events. Colton Cohea tallied a new outdoor PR while clearing 4.95 meters in the pole vault for a fifth place finish, coming in two spots ahead of teammate James Manders (4.80m).

Top Islander Performances
Women's 400m Hurdles
1. Kendall Rodriguez (1:00.97) - PR

Women's 100m Hurdles
2. Chloe Young (14.40w) - PR

Women's 100m
3. Sierra Pruitt (11.87w) - PR

Men's 110m Hurdles
4. Kevin Jaymez (15.11w) - PR

Women's 200m
4. Sierra Pruitt (24.52) - PR
16. Makalah Griffin (59.27w) - PR

Men's Pole Vault
5. Colton Cohea (4.95m) - Outdoor PR

Women's 400m
9. Makalah Griffin (59.27w) - PR

Men's 400m Hurdles
9. Kevin Jaymez (55.07) - PR

COMING UP NEXT
The Islanders work in Abilene was their final test before competing in next weekend's Southland Conference Championship in San Antonio, Texas. The Blue and Green men and women look to improve on their respective finishes of 10th and eighth place in the 2017 meet, attending the outdoor conference championship for the first time under new Head Coach Brent Ericksen.

For more information on Islanders track and field, follow the team on Twitter (@IslandersTFXC), Instagram (@go_islanders) and like their Facebook page (Islanders Track & Field/Cross Country).