FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - UC Riverside returned to the Ron Mann Classic for its second straight meet in Arizona, as Martin Billings II among others continued to smash records and set new heights for the Highlanders.
Among a multitude of top marks, Billings will leave Arizona as the Highlanders' new record holder in the 60m. He also won the 60mH final and reset his school record in the process.
"The goal this week was to be more mindful in our physical prep, mental prep and our warmup," Director of Cross Country/Track & Field Nate Browne said. "We took that advice to heart and performed even better than the first trip. Martin continues to be rewarded for his consistency and buy in with Coach Fremd. Ray set another record as well, while Shiloh had a banner day working with Coach Garza. Momentum is building for MPSF."
Monea Jennings kicked things off in style with a 9.11 (9.15 adjusted) for 887 points in the 60mH, ascending up the all-time top 10 list. Jennings' first pentathlon of the season finished with a career-best 3,062 points after standout performances in the high jump and shot put that moved her into third in school history.
Elsewhere in the 60mH, Billings tied his school record with an 8.04 heat winner while Joshua Lee advanced to the final with an 8.30 and Ebba Adinew took over seventh on the all-time list. UCR also got personal bests from Sierra Sutton and Melanie Ceballos in addition to season bests from Delaney Harris and Chudney McGehee.
UCR enjoyed immense success in the 200m as well. Harris (25.22) and Sutton (25.88) put up a new number 10 all-time spot and a new PR, respectively, while George Cervanka punched his ticket to MPSFs by winning his heat with a 22.23. Ray Olukoju set a second 200m record in as many meets with a heat win in 24.43.
Olukoju, Starks, Harris and Sutton won the 4x400m in 3:49.70. The Highlanders also saw new indoor lifetime bests from Liam Carr (48.88), Reggie Day (49.38) and Saniyah Starks (56.27) in back-to-back 400m races.
UC Riverside will head to the MPSF Championship February 17-18 from Spokane.
