COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Alanah Yukich set a meet record in the women's 400-meter hurdles to headline action for the UTSA track & field teams on Friday at the 44 Farms Team Invitational at E.B. Cushing Stadium.
Yukich raced to a time of 58.80 seconds to win the Friday night race and eclipse the previous meet standard of 58.84 set by former teammate Faith Roberson one year ago. The Perth, Australia, native was in second place in her section entering the final straightaway, but the 2021 NCAA West Preliminary Round qualifier overtook Baylor's Gontse Morake (59.06) down the stretch to earn the gold medal and secure her second collegiate victory in the event.
Earlier in the day, Lacee Barnes continued her strong senior season with a fourth-place showing in the women's discus. The Cayman Islands native, who won two events last weekend, measured 46.22 meters (151-8) on her fifth attempt of the day to end up ahead of nine competitors and only 14 centimeters behind third-place finisher Alyssa Thomas of Texas A&M (46.36m/152-1). She now has placed in the top four in all six outdoor competitions this season.
Back on the track in the evening session, Jose Garcia cruised to a time of 21.14 seconds to win his section of the men's 200m. The true freshman's season-best clocking was good for fifth overall and fourth among collegiate competitors.
There were six Roadrunners running the men's deuce, as Diego Pettorossi clocked a 21.30 to place eighth overall and seventh among collegians, while Trevion McCalla was close behind in eighth with a time of 21.36. Dennis Phillips placed 10th among collegians in 21.45 with Brice Chabot (17th/21.80) and Zachary Perkins (28th/22.46) rounding out the UTSA sprinters.
In the women's 200m, Thennelle Williams was 22nd among collegiate runners with a time of 24.67 and Vera Chinedu was two spots behind in 24.72.
In other action, Paul Bouey finished 10th in the men's discus with a throw of 47.94m (157-3) and Ronald Lozano placed 17th (40.17m/131-9).
Meanwhile, Joel McFarlane is in second place in the men's decathlon after the first day of events. The Scotland native has tallied 3,947 points and trails only Milwaukee's Austin Wallace (4,044) in the 11-man field. He opened the 10-event competition with a time of 10.62 in the 100m, good for 947 points. He then added 854 points with a 7.17m (23-6.25) leap in the long jump and 665 more in the shot put with a mark of 12.96m (42-6.25). After clearing 1.93m (6-4) for 740 in the high jump, he closed out day one with 741 points after clocking a time of 51.64 in the 400m.
Maren Wilms is in seventh place in the women's heptathlon through the first four events. The Germany native has 2,764 points and her opening day was highlighted by a 788-point showing in the 100m hurdles with a 15.41 clocking as well as 735 points in the 200m with a time of 26.74.
Saturday's action will begin at 10 a.m. with the second day of events in the multis, followed by field events at 3 p.m. and running events at 6:30 p.m. Live video coverage will be available on ESPN+ beginning at 6:30 p.m.
UTSA Results
Men
200 Meters
5. (4.) Jose Garcia 21.14
8. (7.) Diego Pettorossi 21.30
11. (8.) Trevion McCalla 21.36
13. (10.) Dennis Phillips 21.45
20. (17.) Brice Chabot 21.80
32. (28.) Zachary Perkins 22.46
400-Meter Hurdles
18. (13.) Gabriel Green 55.74
Discus
10. Paul Bouey 47.94m (157-3)
17. Ronald Lozano 40.17m (131-9)
Decathlon
2. Joel McFarlane 3,947 — 100 Meters (10.62w!/947); Long Jump (7.17m [23-6.25]/854); Shot Put (12.96m [42-6.25)/665); High Jump (1.93m [6-4]/740); 400 Meters (51.64/741)
Women
200 Meters
24. (22.) Thennelle Williams 24.67
26. (24.) Vera Chinedu 24.72
400-Meter Hurdles
1. Alanah Yukich 58.80
Discus
4. Lacee Barnes 46.22m (151-8)
Heptathlon
7. Maren Wilms 2,764 — 100-Meter Hurdles (15.41w/788); High Jump (1.60m [5-3]/736); Shot Put (9.63m [31-7.25]/505); 200 Meters (26.74w!/735)
-UTSA-
