HOUSTON – Twenty-six student-athletes will make their Vaqueros debuts as The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley's (UTRGV) track & field program opens the indoor season on Friday at the Robert Platt Invitational at Houston's Yeoman Fieldhouse.
With 19 freshmen preparing for their first collegiate competition, UTRGV head track & field/cross country coach
Shareese Hicks said there could be some "deer in the headlights" feelings at first. But the Vaqueros coaching staff has been focusing on getting the young squad to believe in themselves and their abilities ahead of this first go-round, and the student-athletes are heading into this meet ready to execute, have fun and get the season started on a positive note.
"We're feeling like, finally, we're all together and we're ready to see where we're at physically and mentally and to go out there and compete our hearts out," Hicks said. "We've got a huge group of freshmen and they're all very significant role players, so this is their time to prove to themselves and show the world that they're supposed to be here. They're going to go out and execute and have a lot of fun in the process."
Participating teams include the hosting Houston Cougars, Central Arkansas, Houston Christian, Lamar, Prairie View A&M, Rice, Stephen F. Austin, St. Thomas, Texas A&M-Kingsville, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Texas Southern and UTSA. The meet begins with field events at 2 p.m. and running events will start at 3:30 p.m.
UTRGV's team chemistry will play a big role in the success of this first outing. The experienced Vaqueros are ready to lead and mentor the younger student-athletes. Everyone is supporting and pushing each other as the event groups continue their inter-team battles. Hicks is cautiously optimistic about the team's potential and very eager to see the Vaqueros in a competitive meet.
"We're excited to get started and to bring our Valley speed and Valley power to Houston this weekend," Hicks said. "
Samantha Gonzalez is coming off an amazing cross country season so she's ready to roll, as well as
Alex Canales and
Sebastian Salinas,
Abraham Morales and all those distance guys. The jumps are really huge for us right now.
Jedidiah Udunna and
Aaron Cooper had some great success in the Orange and Grey meet so they're looking to carry that over. And sprints wise, all across the board everybody is ready to put out an official mark and have some fun."
Meet Schedule
Field Events
Women's High Jump, 2 p.m.
Penelope Alanis
Ashley Lingueno
Men's High Jump, 2 p.m.
Noel Asiedu
Orlando Martinez
Vincent McMillon
Women's Weight Throw, 2 p.m. (after men's)
Marlene Gutierrez
Hannah Hilding
Zoe Vlk
Women's Long Jump, 4 p.m.
Nayla Harris
Ashley Lingueno
Tolu Odetola
Rayja'nae Pettit
Lauren Rekward
Jayln Williams
Men's Long Jump, 4 p.m.
Aaron Cooper
Marco Guajardo
Orlando Martinez
Jedidiah Udunna
Women's Shot Put, 4:30 p.m. (after men's)
Marlene Gutierrez
Hannah Hilding
Zoe Vlk
Women's Triple Jump, 6 p.m.
Tolu Odetola
Rayja'nae Pettit
Men's Triple Jump, 6 p.m.
Aaron Cooper
Marco Guajardo
Running Events
Men's 60-meter hurdles prelims, 4 p.m.
Alex Galvan
Women's 60-meter hurdles prelims, 4:15 p.m.
Symoria Adkins
Ashley Lingueno
Uxia Pereira
Women's 60-meter prelims, 4:45 p.m.
Yaria Akers
Nayla harris
Jada Hoffman
Denae McElrath
Men's 60-meter prelims, 5 p.m.
Yashawn Hamilton
Jaleel Scott
Jermarrion Stewart
Women's Mile, 5 p.m.
Natalie Guillen
Ana Hernandez
Estrella Medellin
Men's Mile, 5:15 p.m.
Alex Canales
Tristan Pena
Sebastian Salinas
Women's 400-meter dash, 5:25 p.m.
Aliyah Castillo
Aisha Gay
Ashley Lingueno
Ja'Nyla Tucker
Jalyn Williams
Men's 400-meter dash, 5:50 p.m.
JaQualand Fields
Jamari Harts
Derrius Henry
Sam Johnson II
Women's 60-meter dash semifinals, 6:10 p.m.
Top 16 from prelims
Men's 60-meter dash semifinals, 6:20 p.m.
Top 16 from prelims
Women's 60-meter hurdles finals, 6:50 p.m.
Top 8 from prelims
Men's 60-meter hurdles finals, 6:55 p.m.
Top 8 from prelims
Women's 60-meter dash finals, 7 p.m.
Top 8 from semis
Men's 60-meter dash finals, 7:05 p.m.
Top 8 from semis
Women's 3,000-meter run, 7:10 p.m.
Faith Cruz
Janie Delgado
Samantha Gonzalez
Men's 3,000-meter run, 7:25 p.m.
Abraham Morales
Women's 200-meter dash, 7:40 p.m.
Symoria Adkins
Yaria Akers
Nayla Harris
Jada Hoffman
Denae McElrath
Uxia Pereira
Men's 200-meter dash, 8:05 p.m.
Alex Galvan
Yashawn Hamilton
Jaleel Scott
Jermarrion Stewart
Jedidiah Udunna
Women's 4x400-meter relay, 8:20 p.m.
1.
Aliyah Castillo,
Aisha Gay,
Ja'Nyla Tucker,
Jalyn Williams
2.
Symoria Adkins,
Jada Hoffman,
Ashley Lingueno,
Estrella Medellin,
Uxia Pereira
3.
Yaria Akers,
Nayla Harris,
Denae McElrath,
Lauren Rekward
Men's 4x400-meter relay, 8:40 p.m.
1. JaQualand Fields,
Jamari Harts,
Derrius Henry,
Sam Johnson II,
Sebastian Salinas
2.
Alex Galvan,
Yashawn Hamilton,
Jaleel Scott,
Jermarrion Stewart
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