Saturday, March 10
Santa Barbara, CA
12:00 PM
UC Riverside
at
UC Santa Barbara/Cal Poly
Track and Field Competes Despite Heavy Rain at Annual UCSB & Cal Poly Tri-Meet
3/11/2018 12:43:00 PM | Men's Track and Field, Women's Track and Field
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The UC Riverside Track and Field teams returned to their annual double dual-meet against UC Santa Barbara and Cal Poly this weekend for the first time in two years. Competing in the pouring rain, the Highlanders had a number of first place finishes, including five on both the men's and the women's side.
"The double dual meet against UCSB and Cal Poly is an important benchmark in our season," Assistant Coach Rob Hansen said. "The inclement conditions separated those prepared to overcome tough situations from those that weren't quite ready. As a staff, we're proud of those who were ready to battle through the conditions."
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Men
Senior Wesley Braddock (15.53m) and sophomore Lawrence O'Hara (14.93m) finished in first and second, respectively, in the men's shot put.
The Highlanders also placed in the top two spots in the men's long jump, as junior Ricky Wright Jr. (7.14m) and freshman Anthony Reyes (6.82m) led the pack.
Out on the track, freshman Quinn Williams took first in the 110m Hurdles with a time of 15.10.
Sophomore Heinrick Van Neikerk also led the way with a first place finish in the 800m (1:54.80), and senior Michael Kojin finished first in the 200m (21.80).
Women
On the women's side, seniors Weslie Pearce (3000m Steeplechase) and Faith Makau (1500m) led the Highlanders in the distance events. Pearce finished first with a time of 10:40.21, while Makau took second, crossing the finish line at 4:34.94.
The women's 4x400 relay, consisting of senior Taylor Brown, sophomores Kenady Jackson and Destiny Mitchell, and junior Cydney Branch earned a first place finish with a time of 4:01.92.
Freshman Hana Johnson recorded an 11.53m mark in the triple jump to take first place for the second straight meet. In the women's long jump, junior Tayler Fleming finished in second with a jump of 5.77m.
COACH'S TAKE
"Ricky Wright's long jump proved that he's matured as an athlete in a lot of ways. Hana Johnson's second win in as many weeks proved that she's going to be a contender for the foreseeable future. Michael Kojin did a great job in the 100m and was dominant in the 200m. On an especially chilly and wet afternoon, we were pleased to see Michael get after it. Wes Braddock picking up the victory in the shot put showed he's not willing to be denied, and our steeple women were exemplary. Weslie led the 3000m steeplechase from wire to wire and Ali Soto and Haley Cabreras debuts land them 6th and 7th all time at UCR.
We have a lot to be excited about heading into the Spring Track Classic in two weeks!" - Coach Hansen
NEXT MEET
The Highlanders will have a week off from competition before returning to action from Mar. 22-24 to host the UC Riverside Spring Track Classic.
"The double dual meet against UCSB and Cal Poly is an important benchmark in our season," Assistant Coach Rob Hansen said. "The inclement conditions separated those prepared to overcome tough situations from those that weren't quite ready. As a staff, we're proud of those who were ready to battle through the conditions."
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| 2018 UCSB/Cal Poly Tri-Meet | |||
| Combined | |||
| UC Santa Barbara | 223 | UC Riverside | 146 |
| UC Santa Barbara | 201 | Cal Poly | 181 |
| Cal Poly | 206 | UC Riverside | 155 |
| Men | |||
| UC Santa Barbara | 111 | UC Riverside | 74 |
| UC Santa Barbara | 105 | Cal Poly | 84 |
| Cal Poly | 94 | UC Riverside | 85 |
| Women | |||
| UC Santa Barbara | 112 | UC Riverside | 72 |
| Cal Poly | 97 | UC Santa Barbara | 96 |
| Cal Poly | 112 | UC Riverside | 70 |
Men
Senior Wesley Braddock (15.53m) and sophomore Lawrence O'Hara (14.93m) finished in first and second, respectively, in the men's shot put.
The Highlanders also placed in the top two spots in the men's long jump, as junior Ricky Wright Jr. (7.14m) and freshman Anthony Reyes (6.82m) led the pack.
Out on the track, freshman Quinn Williams took first in the 110m Hurdles with a time of 15.10.
Sophomore Heinrick Van Neikerk also led the way with a first place finish in the 800m (1:54.80), and senior Michael Kojin finished first in the 200m (21.80).
Women
On the women's side, seniors Weslie Pearce (3000m Steeplechase) and Faith Makau (1500m) led the Highlanders in the distance events. Pearce finished first with a time of 10:40.21, while Makau took second, crossing the finish line at 4:34.94.
The women's 4x400 relay, consisting of senior Taylor Brown, sophomores Kenady Jackson and Destiny Mitchell, and junior Cydney Branch earned a first place finish with a time of 4:01.92.
Freshman Hana Johnson recorded an 11.53m mark in the triple jump to take first place for the second straight meet. In the women's long jump, junior Tayler Fleming finished in second with a jump of 5.77m.
COACH'S TAKE
"Ricky Wright's long jump proved that he's matured as an athlete in a lot of ways. Hana Johnson's second win in as many weeks proved that she's going to be a contender for the foreseeable future. Michael Kojin did a great job in the 100m and was dominant in the 200m. On an especially chilly and wet afternoon, we were pleased to see Michael get after it. Wes Braddock picking up the victory in the shot put showed he's not willing to be denied, and our steeple women were exemplary. Weslie led the 3000m steeplechase from wire to wire and Ali Soto and Haley Cabreras debuts land them 6th and 7th all time at UCR.
We have a lot to be excited about heading into the Spring Track Classic in two weeks!" - Coach Hansen
NEXT MEET
The Highlanders will have a week off from competition before returning to action from Mar. 22-24 to host the UC Riverside Spring Track Classic.
Thursday, May 21
Monday, May 04
Friday, May 01
Tuesday, March 24
