FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – UC Riverside kicked off 2023 with a trip back to the Lumberjack Team Challenge at Northern Arizona, setting more top marks and putting in an overall impressive performance at the Walkup Skydome.
Director of Cross Country/Track and Field Nate Browne, now in his eighth year in the Inland Empire, had a good feeling along with his team that something special was going to transpire in the Highlanders' return to the Grand Canyon State.
"We talked to the group about enjoying ourselves and competing with courage," Browne said. "It was a great first meet competition and experience. We have so many talented newcomers, and we knew once Martin got back into a jersey, he would do something special. He and Ray coming away with records was gratifying for the whole program"
UC Riverside found immense success in the 60m hurdle with top marks in historic fashion in a variety of places. Martin Billings III put in an adjusted 8.08 in the 60m hurdles for a new school record while Joshua Lee made his own mark on the 60mH, running an adjusted 8.32 jumping two spots on the Highlanders' all-time list to second.
Raykiyat Olukoju - daughter of Highlanders' assistant coach Fatimat Yusuf-Olukoju - set a school record in her first collegiate race with a 24.53 in the 200m. Overall, the Highlanders showed out with six new top 10 marks on the women's side and 18 on the men's side.
The newest class of Highlanders also saw their fair share of the limelight. Jacoby Madise took first in the first 60m for his first collegiate race, clocking in at 6.90 in the preliminary in addition to Kyan Thomas opening his college account with a 7.00 in the long jump, third overall in the competition.
Billings and Madise both qualified for the final, with Madise finishing second with a 6.83.
Additionally, Karyssa Owens (47-6 in the weight), Monea Jennings (17-00.25 in the long jump) and Melanie Ceballos (17-06.2 in the long jump) all set new PRs.
UCR will stay in Arizona with the Ron Mann Classic on February 3 and 4 at Northern Arizona.
