COLLEGE STATION, Texas – The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi track & field team wrapped up its run at the NCAA West Region First Round on Saturday afternoon, doing so after five of its athletes put in admirable performances in their events throughout the week.
Getting things started at the NCAAs on Wednesday were sophomore
Alex Del Popolo and senior
Izac Canchola, both of whom qualified for the meet in the men's javelin. The first of these two to take the field was Del Popolo, who followed up his bronze-medal winning performance at the Southland Conference Outdoor Championships on May 15 by finishing in 30
th place with a high mark of 63.07m, just over two meters shy of his personal best. Soon after was Canchola's turn in what marked his fourth appearance in an NCAA Regional in his five-year collegiate career, and the Islanders' all-time record holder came in just behind Del Popolo, throwing 61.37m to finish in 37
th.
The next day had two more Islanders suit up in College Station, with sophomore
Breyunna Dowell and junior
Cyan Green competing on Thursday. To get the day going, Dowell put one of her more impressive showings of the year in the women's hammer throw, reaching 56.08m to finish in 34
th place. In the nightcap, Green tossed a best of 14.27m in the women's shot put, improving upon her finish at the conference championships and coming in at 43
rd place.
After a day off on Friday, the team returned back for its final event on Saturday, concluding the last day of competition with senior
Nyadhol Thichiot in the women's triple jump. Thichiot competed in the first of four flights on the day, topping out at a mark of 12.47m to come in at 37
th overall.
The week brought the seasons of each of the five athletes to a close, with all of them concluding a year in which they were some of the best and most consistent competitors for the Islanders week after week. Between them, the unit made their way into the school's outdoor record book on eight different occasions, including new program records for Canchola in the javelin, Dowell in the hammer throw and Green in the shot put. Canchola and Thichiot now depart the Islanders after starring in their final season of eligibility, while Del Popolo, Dowell and Green will have the chance to make further history next year.
"I couldn't be prouder of these young men and women who made it to this meet," said head coach
Bryan Jackson. "They all had a great year that led up to this point. This program has a bright future, and this group is a big part of why I am excited for what is to come."
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