WESTWOOD, Calif. – The University of California, Riverside (UCR) track and field program had a strong showing in the limited events they entered at the Jim Bush Legends Invite hosted by UCLA.  The Highlander men took two of the top three spots in the men's triple jump.  Brian Nnoli jumped 47' 4¼" (14.43m) for the win.  That jump is an automatic qualifying mark for the Big West Championship coming up in mid-May.  Teammates Titan Ruotolo & Anthony Reyes jumped 45 5 ¼" (13.85m) and 45' 3" (13.79m) respectively, which also punch their tickets into the Big West Championships.  The most pleasing thing for Coach Eric was that the jumpers had this level of success working from a short approach: "This group all had short approach lifetime bests, and when you consider that we've only had five weeks to prepare for this competition, I am really pleased with the results.  Once we have time to progress into a full approach, they'll be jumping some special distances," mentioned Assistant Coach for Jumps, Eric Fremd.   
 
Also coming from short approach was reigning Big West Champion javelin thrower, JT Ober III.  Ober III's mark of 178'3" (54.33m) was a short approach personal best and still good enogh for a Big West qualifying mark.  In women's throws, Shiloh Corrales-Nelson tossed a lifetime best 142'01" (43.31m) in the discus, to earn a Big West qualifying mark.  
 
On the track, several performances stood out above the rest for the Highlanders.  Fr Martin Billings made his collegiate debut in the 110m Hurdle event, stopping the clock at 14.84s.  His time earned him a qualifying mark for the Big West Championship and ranks him eighth best all-time at UCR.  "The adjustment in this event is especially tough, from high school to college because the hurdles move from 39" to 42" at the college and international level.  That 3" is a huge difference maker," commented Coach Fremd, "but Martin has worked hard to successfully transition to the new hurdle height."  
 
Andrew Jackson stepped down from his usual 800m race to contest the 400m.  Jackson ran a lifetime best 48.38 which is a Big West qualifying mark and just misses the UCR all-time top-10 list.  Defending 400m Hurdles Big West Champ Quinn Williams made his season debut in the 400m Hurdle event.  He clocked an official time of 54.90 seconds, which was second overall and a Big West Qualifying mark.  
 
The Highlander distance group will be in action tomorrow at the Anteater Distance Twilight hosted by UC Irvine.  UCR will step into action at 5:00pm tomorrow.
 
Today & Tomorrow's results can be found at www.finishedresults.com or on the Finished Results app.