Azusa, Calif. – The University of California-Riverside (UCR) Highlanders earned a slew of top marks on day one of the Bryan Clay Invitational hosted by Azusa Pacific University. The Highlanders were led by FR Carolinh Calvert, who made her lifetime 3000m Steeplechase debut in exciting fashion. Calvert ran a fearless race where she competed hard in a field of seasoned professionals and experienced hurdlers. She stopped the clock at 10:45.91 seconds. The time earned her eighth place overall, but third amongst collegians, and is now the third best time in school history.

"Once the gun goes off, Carolinh is not afraid to stick her nose in a race and compete against anybody.  This was an exemplary debut, and with a bit more experience, she'll be able to clean up her hurdling and really do some damage in this event," commented Distance Coach Rob Hansen.
  
Not to be overshadowed were SR Arman Irani and FR Andrew Jackson. Irani struggled through some injuries in the past week and was a racetime decision whether he would race or not. Despite the pre meet setback, Irani would not be denied. He battled a star studded and professional runner laced field to clock a new lifetime best 14:03.66; fourth best in UCR history. He finished 16^th overall, but was the third fastest collegian in the field. Jackson boasted a brand new personal best 1:52.16, knocking nearly one full second off of his previous best (1:53.03) from the Sound Running Collegiate Invite two weeks ago. Jackson's effort earned him eighth overall and fourth amongst collegiate competitors.

Clocking an event win today, was FR Monea Jennings. Her 100m Hurdles time of 14.75 earned her an open section preliminary round victory, a spot in tomorrow's final, and the seventhfastest time in program history!  Teammate Nia Jones earned a lifetime best 15.20 which nabs her the last spot in tomorrow's final. In the throws events, the Highlanders brought home several top-3 performances, including FR Shiloh Corrales-Nelson's 3^rd place hammer throw, and John Ober III's 2^ndplace javelin throw

Others who qualified for Saturday's final round were:
Josh Lee – 110m Hurdles – 15.30 (personal best)
Quinn Williams – 400m Hurdles – 56.38 
Delaney Harris – 200m Dash – 25.33 (personal best)
 
In addition to the Highlanders who qualified for finals, UCR will be represented in the High Jump, Triple Jump, 4x400m Relay, and the 1500m tomorrow.
 
Action Starts in Azusa at 1:00 pm Saturday
Results can be found at www.finishedresults.com and on the Finished Results App