ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The Wildcats wrapped up day two of the New Mexico Collegiate Classic at the Albuquerque Convention Center on Saturday. The two-day meet provided the most competitive field the Wildcats have faced all indoor season.
Zach Landa and
Tyler Michelini highlighted the final day of competition for the team, finishing first and second overall in the men's shot put. The weekend also included 17 new individual personal bests for the Wildcats.
"With still more work to be done, we had a very productive two days," said Head Coach
Fred Harvey. "In all event groups we had personal bests that matter. When you are going head-to-head with the likes of Texas, LSU, Alabama, and Arkansas, as well as some of the world's best athletes, and you can perform with PB's, it shows us we can compete with the best. This competition gave the team much more confidence with five weeks to go before the NCAA Indoor Championships."
TOP-THREE FINISHES
Zach Landa – First, Men's Shot Put
Tyler Michelini – Second, Men's Shot Put
FIELD HIGHLIGHTS
The Wildcats continued their season domination in the men's shot put, finishing first and second in the event. For the second straight week,
Zach Landa won the event, this time posting a season best throw of 61-7.5 (18.78m). Additionally, for the second straight week he was followed by freshman
Tyler Michelini who had a big personal best throw of 61-2.25 (18.65m) to place second. Landa's best throw of the day came on his fourth attempt and Michelini's came on his last.
Youssef Koudssi also placed 10th in the event. The Wildcats entered the weekend ranked second in the men's shot put in the USTFCCCA's Event Squad Rankings.
In the women's shot put,
Tapenisa Havea placed seventh overall with a throw of 51-3 (15.62m).
Lauryn Love took ninth in the event as well with a mark of 48-7.25 (14.81m).
Tanner Kippes cleared a season best height of 16-2.75 (4.95m) in the men's pole vault.
TRACK HIGHLIGHTS
Tyson Tippet ran a time of 6.86 in the men's 60m invitational and
James Onanubosi finished with a time of 6.88. In the women's 60m,
Morgan Rhett clocked a personal best time.
In the seeded portion of the women's 400m,
Antonia Sanchez Nunez clocked a time of 54.77 in her first career indoor race in the event. That is now the fastest time ran by a Wildcat in the women's 400m this season.
Christian Simmons was the top finisher for the Wildcats in the men's 800m with a new personal best time.
The women's 4x400m team of
McKenna Watson,
Keilee Hall,
Ava Simms, and
Antonia Sanchez Nunez placed sixth overall in the event.
Former Wildcat
Talie Bonds finished third overall in the finals of the women's 60m hurdles with a time of 8.00.
UP NEXT
The indoor season continues next week with a pair of meets for the Wildcats. On both Friday and Saturday, the team will be competing at the Texas Tech Jarvis Scott Open in Lubbock, Texas and the Husky Invitational in Seattle, Wash.
FOLLOW THE WILDCATS!
Fans can keep up with the latest in Arizona Cross Country and Track & Field by following us on Facebook (ArizonaTrack), X (@ArizonaTrack), Instagram (@arizonatrack) and YouTube (@arizonawildcatstrack).
