AUSTIN — Bolstered by personal bests in the 100-meter hurdles and shot put, UTSA senior All-American Ryanne Dupree is in second place after day one of the Texas Relays heptathlon held Wednesday at Myers Stadium.
Dupree, an East Central high product, raced to a 13.40 clocking to finish second in the 100m hurdles for her fifth NCAA regional-qualifying mark of the season. The two-time Southland Conference Athlete of the Year cleared 5-5 ¼ in the high jump before posting a career-best 40-7 ¾ mark in the shot put. Dupree wrapped up day one with a wind-aided 24.82 effort in the 200m.
Dupree, who won this event in 2004, stands second with 3,461 points, just ahead of Julie Pickler of Washington State (3,425) and Abbie Stechschulte of West Virginia (3,392). She is on pace to threaten her UTSA record of 5,575 points set at the 2005 NCAA Championships and her personal best of 5,606 recorded in placing second at this meet last season while competing unattached. Diana Pickler of Washington State leads the field of 19 athletes with 3,767 points, while UTSA junior Ashley Allen is in 14th with 3,085.
In other action, a trio of Roadrunners competed in the B section of the women’s 1,500m. Freshman Dana Mecke took 12th in 4:53.22, while senior Brianna Mendez and freshman Faith Barlow finished 15th (4:58.54) and 16th (5:00.42).
The Texas Relays continue Thursday with the heptathlon long jump beginning at noon.
