COLLEGE STATION — Alysaa Diaz was victorious with a program record in the first 5,000-meter race of her career to lead the UTSA women's track & field team at this weekend's Texas A&M 10-Team Invitational.
Diaz topped the field of seven runners on Friday night in 17:07.32 to break Kayla Pratt's four-year-old mark (17:17.76) by more than 10 seconds. The Hereford native, who crossed the line more than 10 seconds quicker than her nearest competitor (teammate Isabel Balbontin was second in 17:17.73), now leads the Conference USA standings.
Lindsey Pew also registered a school record in a third-place performance in the pole vault. The junior college transfer from Mesa, Ariz., cleared the bar in 12-10 ¾ (3.93m) to top April Benavidez' previous standard (12-3 ½/3.75m) by more than seven inches. It was her second bronze medal in three outings this season.
The Roadrunners also received a podium finish from its third-place distance medley relay on Friday night. The quartet of Stephanie Wangui, Grace Williamson, Sarah Wedgeworth and Emily Perez passed the baton in 12:01.69.
UTSA will be back in action in two weeks at the Howie Ryan Invitational & Multis. The two-day meet is scheduled to get underway on Friday, Jan. 31, in Houston.