LUBBOCK — Sophomore Richard Garrett Jr. (shot put) and freshman Crisshun Jamerson (800 meters) both were victorious for the second week in a row and their triumphs led the UTSA men's track & field team to five top-three performances during Saturday's final session of the Texas Tech Invitational.
Garrett recorded a 59-2 (18.03m) measurement to successfully defend his shot put title and the victory was his fourth in six meets to open his two-year career. Junior Daniel Rodriguez checked in with a personal-best heave of 52-0 (15.85m), which was good for fourth place.
Meanwhile, Jamerson crossed the tape in 1:53.19 to win the 800m for the second time to open his inaugural campaign. The time moved him to fifth on the program's all-time performers list and it was a three-and-a-half second improvement from his season-opening 1:56.70 at the Leonard Hilton Memorial.
Senior Kyle Kaase just missed becoming the third Roadrunner to capture gold when he placed second in the pole vault. The Spring native cleared the bar at 16-0 ¾ (4.90m) but lost the championship to Texas Tech's Kyal Meyers in a jump off. Fellow fourth-year performer Lucas Neeper finished with the bronze (PR 15-7/4.75m) while sophomore Taylor Reed was fifth (15-1/4.60m).
UTSA's other top-three effort came from junior Albert Cardenas, who finished third in the mile with a 4:17.47 clocking. Freshman Mike Medrano crossed the line right behind his teammate, but he was more than seven seconds back with a personal-best 4:24.50.
The Roadrunners are back in action next weekend at the Houston Invitational/Multis. The two-day meet gets underway on Friday, Jan. 28, at Bill Yeoman Fieldhouse.
