BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — UTSA's 1,600-meter relay broke an 11-year-old program record on Thursday and that highlighted the Roadrunners' final day of action at this week's Conference USA Indoor Championships at the Birmingham CrossPlex.
The quartet of Jennifer Arinze, Evelyn Clark, Shantel Swift and Paige Patterson passed the baton in 3:41.93 en route to second place in the final event of the two-day meet and that shattered the previous mark of 3:43.70 established during the 2005 campaign.
Mia Hicks also earned a silver medal after registering a career-long measurement of 46-6 ¼ (14.18m) in the shot put. That performance now ranks third on UTSA's all-time list.
"This track meet was something new and it was big for me to go out and PR," Hicks said. "I felt the support from my coaches, family and friends throughout the competition and I could not be any happier. I am looking forward to the outdoor season."
Meanwhile, Caroline Bellows earned a bronze medal in the pole vault with a personal-best clearance of 12-0 (3.66m), a height that also now ranks third on the school's all-time performers chart.
"I'm really proud of what I was able to accomplish today," Bellows said. "I came into this meet wanting to help score points for my team and compete to the best of my ability. I'm looking forward to seeing what the outdoor season has in store for me."
Stephanie Wangui, the defending champion in the 800m, was unable to repeat following a sixth-place showing (2:14.14) in her specialty event and the squad's other two points of the meet came from Clark, who placed seventh in the 400m (56.52).
UTSA finished the meet with 30 points and that was good for ninth in the team standings. UTEP successfully defended its team title with 120 points, while Western Kentucky (106) and Rice (102) rounded out the top three.
"The team competed hard and I was extremely proud of them," Director of Track & Field/Cross Country Aaron Fox said. "Our freshmen really stepped up and performed for us. That is a great sign for the future. Caroline (Bellows) and Mia (Hicks) really came through for us in their first Conference USA Championship."
The Roadrunners will take the next three weekends off before beginning their outdoor campaign from March 18-19 when they host the UTSA Invitational.