University Star

The Texas State track and field team has found 14 to be its lucky number.

The team brought home 14 first-place titles for the third time this season after competing at the Trinity Alumni Classic Thursday in San Antonio.

Brandon Thomas, pre-psychology freshman, competed for the first time since his hamstring injury. He won first place in the 200-meter dash with a season-best time of 21.62. He also placed third in the 100-meter event.

“I did not run in the first two meets because I was working with the trainers,” Thomas said.

Thomas knows he is not back to competing 100 percent.

“I am going to try my best for the rest of the season, but I can only improve,” Thomas said.

Clay Holland, exercise and sports science senior, won the men’s 110-meter hurdles with a season-best of 14.56. He also placed second in the 400-meter hurdles, accomplishing another season best at 53.76.

For the women, Sara Olayiwola, finance senior, won first place in the long and triple jump events.

“They weren’t my personal bests, but they were still good jumps,” Olayiwola said.

Olayiwola said her ultimate goal at every meet is to place among top three in both events. Her personal best for the triple jump is 40 feet.

“I have only reached 40 feet one time. I have been getting 39 feet consistently, though,” Olayiwola said. “This whole season has been good for me because I have remained consistent in both events.”

Olayiwola said she jumped lower than her personal best in the long jump and still managed to place first in the event.

“Even though it was a foot below my personal best, it still ranks me number three in the conference,” Olayiwola said.

Iris Darrington, interdisciplinary studies junior, won two first place titles and had a season-best record in the 200 meters. She won the 100-meter event in 11.83 and the 200 meters in 24.48 for her season-best.

Katie Miller, undecided freshman, and Kristina Viniar, international studies senior, placed first and second, respectively, in the 400-meter hurdles.

“I really want to get to a better time,” Viniar said. “I am not hoping, I am expecting to do better.”

The team will travel to Austin Saturday to participate in the University of Texas Twilight meet.

TRINITY MEET COMPETITION RESULTS

MEN’S RESULTS:

Kevin Aje, economics sophomore, placed second in the 100 meters.

Stefon Hargrove, undecided freshman, placed third in the 200 meters.

Justin Longoria, exercise and sports science junior, placed second in the 400 meters.

Steve Farris, pre-psychology freshman, finished fifth in the 400 meters.

Eric Sheppard, finance senior, finished third in the 800 meters.

Michael Webley, accounting senior, finished fifth in the 800 meters.

Jonathan Hernandez, health and wellness promotion junior, placed third in the 5,000 meters.

Michael Richards, political science sophomore, placed fourth in the 5,000 meters.

Michael Morris, biology freshman, placed fifth in the 5,000 meters.

Ikenna Obonna, finance sophomore, won the triple jump and took second in the long jump.

WOMEN’S RESULTS:

Renee Shepard, exercise and sports science sophomore, placed second in the 100 meters and fourth in the 200 meters.

Lindsey Maxwell, exercise and sports science sophomore, placed second in the 400-meter dash.

Kaneesha Skinner, undecided freshman, placed fourth in the women’s 400-meter dash.

Ryann Bradford, marketing senior, Natoria Edwards, undecided freshman, Karissa Reiter, biology sophomore, and Heather Bullin, exercise and sports science junior, finished consecutively in the women’s 800-meter event.

Steffanie Armstrong, nutrition and foods sophomore, took first place in the 1500-
meter run.

Bullin placed second in the 1500 meters.

Whitney Perkins, health and fitness management senior, and Amanda McKinney, nutrition and foods sophomore, placed fourth and fifth in the women’s 5,000 meters.

Brooke Hewitt, communication disorders junior, won the high jump.

Jennifer Matthews, agricultural education graduate, placed second in the pole vault.

Kayla Smith won the shot put with a mark of 12.45.

Katy Hanie, exercise and sports science senior, won the discus with a toss of 47.27, just .03 shy of meeting the NCAA Regional Qualifying standard.

Taylor Hubbard, exercise and sports science senior, won the javelin throw with 32.41.