HOUSTON — Richard Garrett Jr. led five UTSA discus throwers that scored points on Saturday and the Roadrunners sit atop the team standings after seven scored events at this weekend's Conference USA Championships.
The league-leader coming into the meet, Garrett Jr. picked up the program's first title in its new home with his program-record toss of 188-5 (57.44m). It marked the 56th all-time individual/relay crown in program history and first in the discus. Nearly 12 feet better than his closest competitor, the Garland native led a parade of 25 points for the Roadrunners.
Jared Tyler, who placed third, also recorded a career best with his measurement of 173-7 (52.92m), while Phil Steinert (164-1/50.01m), Andrew Akens (PR 160-11/49.05m) and Victor Perez (PR 160-7/48.94m) finished fifth through seventh, respectively.
Meanwhile, Taylor Reed and Barrett Brock combined for 13 points in the pole vault.
Reed cleared 17-0 (5.18m), which was good for a silver medal, and Brock set a new personal record with his mark of 16-4 (4.98m) en route to fourth place.
Harvinder Singh recorded UTSA's other point of the day with his eighth-place effort in the 3,000-meter steeplechase (PR 9:14.17).
UTSA also advanced a meet-leading 12 athletes into the running finals.
Leading the way was All-American Keyunta Hayes, who topped the 110m hurdles field (13.90) and was second in the 400m hurdles (51.67). Nate Brunette also was a double qualifer in both the 100m and deuce.
The Roadrunners, who entered the day in third place with 22 points, will take a slim two-point edge over East Carolina into the final day of action. Defending champion UTEP is in third with 50 points.
The four-day meet will wrap up on Sunday.