SAN ANTONIO — Jennifer Arinze raced to a program record in the 400 meters on Saturday to lead the UTSA women's track & field team on the final day of action at this weekend's Roadrunners Invitational at the Park West Athletcs Complex.
Arinze circled the oval in 54.07 en route to second place and that topped the 15-year-old mark previously held by Andrea Johnson (54.10). Baylor's Victoria Powell won the event in 53.90, while UTSA's Paige Patterson was just behind her teammate following her time of 54.25.
"Today, I was really happy with my overall performance," Arinze said. "I ran against the nation's best athletes and was able to compete with them. I told myself to trust my training and worry about myself when I got to the line."
The Roadrunners received a bronze-medal performance from De'Stini Henderson in the 100m (11.88) and both of their relays (45.59 400m relay/3:39.95 1,600m relay).
Despite finishing ninth in the 200m, Syd Howells peeled off the second-best performance in school annals with her time of 23.17.
"I am very proud of my accomplishments since outdoor season has started," Howells said. "I keep giving myself a new goal to achieve each week and push myself to get it."
The Roadrunners finished fourth in the team standings with their 111 points. Texas A&M won the title with a meet-record 264, while Baylor (145) and Akron (116) rounded out the top three.
"I thought we competed very well against some great competition this weekend," Director of Track & Field/Cross Country Aaron Fox said. "We saw a lot of very fast times today and this was a fun meet to host. We are off to a great start to the season and I am looking forward to next week's Texas Relays and beyond."
UTSA will return to action next week at the Clyde Litttlefield Texas Relays. The four-day meet is scheduled to get underway on Wednesday, March 29.
