NEW YORK/HOUSTON — Sophomores Phil Steinert and Nate Brunette led a strong group of performances by the UTSA men's track & field team at two different meets on Saturday.
Steinert established a new program standard in the weight throw for third time in as many meets this season at the New Balance Invitational. The Round Rock native tossed the 35-pound implement 58-6 ½ (17.84m) en route to an eight-place finish in the championship section. He has improved by nearly two-and-a-half feet from his top throw as a freshman.
Meanwhile, Brunette circled the historic 168th Street Armory oval in a personal-best 21.72 to win the 200 meters college division. The Humble native qualified for the six-man final by posting the second-fastest preliminary time on Friday evening (22.08). He currently ranks second on the Southland Conference leaderboard.
Senior Devon Bond moved to the top of the league standings with his season-best 50-7 ¼ (15.42m) measurement in the championship triple jump in The Big Apple. That leap was good for seventh place.
Two UTSA distance runners extended their leads in the conference rankings with career records at the New Balance Invite.
Juniors Albert Cardenas placed sixth in the college mile in 4:11.86, while fellow third-year performer Cole Reveal clocked an 8:22.21 en route to a seventh-place effort in the college section of the 3,000m. Both times ranks second on the program's all-time performers chart.
The Roadrunners also saw freshman Kerry Thompson earn a silver medal in the high jump at the Howie Ryan All-Comers in Houston. The Haltom City native soared 7-0 ¼ (2.14m) to finish as the top collegian. He eclipsed his previous personal best by two inches and improved his second-place standing in the league standings.
UTSA will take the next two weeks off before beginning defense of its five consecutive Southland Indoor Championships in Norman, Okla., from Feb. 25-26. The program's current run is second only to Lamar's stretch of six crowns from 1980-85.
