RELATED LINKSFinal results
HOUSTON — Junior Keith Benford led a parade of five first-place finishers and the UTSA men's track & field team began the 2012 campaign on a high note at Friday's season-opening Leonard Hilton Memorial at Bill Yeoman Fieldhouse.
Benford successfully defended his high jump crown and matched the program record he established two years ago at this same meet. The Pflugerville native cleared 7-2 ¼ (2.19m) and tied former NCAA Champion Andra Manson for the top spot in the nine-man field. His mark currently ranks 10th nationally. Sophomore Kerry Thompson was right behind his teammate in third place following his 6-10 ¼ (2.09m) clearance.
Meanwhile, senior Albert Cardenas raced to a personal best in winning the 5,000-meter run. The Converse native recorded the second-fastest performance in program history after completing 25 laps in 14:52.63. It bettered his previous PR by more than 41 seconds.
Junior Phil Steinert captured the weight throw title for the second year in a row. His winning toss of 57-10 ½ (17.64m) topped the seven-man field.
The Roadrunners also earned gold medals in both relays.
The distance medley quartet of senior Cole Reveal, sophomore J.J. Jones, Cardenas and freshman Ryan Elizalde crossed the tape in 10:29.74, while the 1,600-meter foursome of freshman Nick Garza, sophomore Joshua Smith, senior Nate Brunette and freshman Cory Ingraham circled the track in 3:24.62.
Other top performances included Smith, who finished second (top collegian) in the 800m (1:57.88), junior Richard Garrett Jr., who earned a silver medal in the shot put (57-6 ¼/17.53m), and junior James Pailin, who was runner-up in the 400m (50.99).
Junior Taylor Reed (pole vault/15-7/4.75m), Jones (800m/pr 1:57.92) and freshman Trayvion Martin (triple jump/46-10/14.27m) joined Thompson as bronze medal recipients.
UTSA returns to action next weekend at the Texas Tech Invitational. The two-day meet gets underway on Friday, Jan. 20, in Lubbock.