MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Led by second-place finishes by both Adrian Riley (decathlon) and Dusan Makevic (10,000 meters) on Friday, the two-time defending champion UTSA men's track & field team sits in second place after the first three scored events of this weekend's Conference USA Championships.
Riley, who opened the multi-event competition on Thursday with 3,879 points, scored 7,064 overall en route to his silver medal. His runner-up total was bolstered by victories in the 100 meters (PR 10.89) and pole vault (14-1 ¼/4.30m) along with second-place efforts in the long jump (22-10/6.96m), high jump (PR 6-6/1.98m) and discus (132-5/40.37m). The sophomore from Kingston, Jamaica, placed fourth a year ago. Middle Tennessee's Atsu Nyamadi, who entered the meet in sixth place nationally, won the league title with 7,588 points.
The Roadrunners received another eight points later in the night when Dusan Makevic crossed the finish line second in the first 10k race of his collegiate track & field career. The senior from Sabac, Serbia, clocked a time of 31:02.28, which was less than two seconds behind winner Endalow Takele of Western Kentucky (31:00.58).
"It was a tactical race from the beginning," Makevic said. "Most of the runners were in the lead pack until the last mile. I made a very strong move with two laps remaining, but it wasn't fast enough for the win tonight. Now, it's time to rest and get ready for 3000-meter steeplechase tomorrow."
Earlier on Friday, UTSA picked up a combined nine points in the hammer, which was the first scored event of the meet.
Victor Perez registered a measurement of 175-0 (53.35m) en route to fourth place, while Levi Jordan was just behind his teammate in fifth with his career-best throw of 174-1 (53.06m). Charlotte's Stevan Veselinovic won the gold medal with his toss of 211-7 (64.50m).
"This was a great way to start off the Conference USA Championships," Director of Track & Field/Cross Country Aaron Fox said. "We finished second in both the decathlon and 10,000 meters and are ready for the next two days."
Rice, which has accounted for 27 points, holds a slim two-point lead over the Roadrunners, while Charlotte is in third with 18 points.
The four-day meet will continue at 3 p.m. on Saturday.
