NEW YORK, N.Y. — UTSA opened this weekend's Armory Invitational with several strong performances on Friday.
Kaylon Sellers registered the fourth-best measurement in program history en route to fourth place (third among collegians) in the long jump. The sophomore from Beaumont broke the sand in 23-10 ¾ (7.28m), which moved him up to fourth place on this year's Conference USA leaderboard. It was an improvement of more than one foot and three inches from his previous career best that came at the season-opening Texas A&M Team Invitational.
"I felt very blessed today," Sellers said. "This was my first time visiting New York and having a career best in the long jump at one of the popular meets of the year, just fuels me to be the best I can be."
Meanwhile, C-USA leader Patrick Prince advanced to Saturday's final in the 60-meter hurdles with the third-best performance in school annals. The sophomore from Conroe skimmed the barriers in 7.86, which was the third-fastest semifinals time. He crossed the finish line in 7.89 in the preliminary heats and that, too, stood as the third-best clocking among the field 38 hurdlers.
Mikael Dawkins also moved on to a Saturday final with his coming in the 60m. The sophomore from Leander peeled off a 6.89 in the semifinals after clocking a 6.91 in the prelims. Byron Taylor earned a spot in the semis following a career-best 6.85 in the preliminary heats and that was the third-fastest time in the field of 67 sprinters.
The Roadrunners' distance medley relay team of Luca Chatham, Randy Bermea, Edgar Garcia and Monty Bertschy passed the baton in 10:11.20 and that moved them up to third place in this season's league standings.
Alex Cruz registered the fifth-best 5,000m time in UTSA history en route to sixth place. The junior from Laredo circled the New Balance Track & Field Center banked oval 25 times in a personal-best time of 14:54.79 and he now ranks second in the circuit.
"We had a great start today," Director of Track & Field/Cross Country Aaron Fox said. "We competed extremely hard and it was nice to continually hear UTSA being said on the loud speaker."
The two-day meet will conclude on Saturday.
