FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros track & field program will kick-off the indoor season Friday at the Arkansas Invitational – a meet tabbed as one of the top "return from the holidays" events to watch by the NCAA.
Action begins with field events at 11 a.m. with running events to follow. Participating schools include hosting Arkansas, Oklahoma State, Tulsa, Louisiana Tech, conference foes Stephen F. Austin and UT Arlington, and others.
"The staff and I are thrilled to get the indoor season started and open up at one of the most premier track meets in the country," track & field/cross country head coach
Shareese Hicks said. "The student-athletes have put in a lot of work to be able to have some strong opening marks. More importantly, we finally have a chance to learn more about our team as competitors and bring that info back to training in hopes of continued improvement."
Hicks praised her team for showing a strong commitment to their craft over winter break, noting that this year, more Vaqueros than any of her past years chose to stay in the Valley and train for the indoor season. The coaching staff was able to hit the ground running with training instead of slowing working the student-athletes back into shape, giving the team a lot of confidence heading into this first meet.
UTRGV's jumps crew looks poised to make a big splash during the opening weekend. Hicks' sprinters have been looking strong, which bodes well for the relays, too. Newcomers and returners alike are excited to get back into competition mode and put their abilities on display at a top meet.
"We are expecting to have a strong showing and the team is ready to show that they are contenders. I believe that collectively the expectations for this opening meet are high and tangible," Hicks said.
UTRGV Schedule
Men's shot put, 11 a.m.
Antoine Walker
Men's 1-mile run, 1:05 p.m.
Abraham Morales
Women's shot put, 1:30 p.m.
Hannah Hilding
Omolola Kuponiyi
Women's 60-meter dash qualifying round, 2 p.m.
Symoria Adkins
Yaria Akers
Aisha Gay
Kailah Gilmore
Nayla Harris
Daniella Muniz
Women's long jump, 2:30 p.m.
Kailah Gilmore
Tolu Odetola
Rayja'nae Pettit
Gabrielle Thomas
Jordyn Tiggs
Men's long jump, 3 p.m.
Aaron Cooper
Jedidiah Udunna
Kevin Washington
Women's 60-meter hurdles prelims, 3:30 p.m.
Symoria Adkins
Ashley Lingueno
Men's 60-meter hurdles prelims, 3:33 p.m.
Jaylen Critton
Daniel Siaffa
James Voss
Women's 60-meter dash prelims, 3:50 p.m.
TBD
Men's 60-meter dash prelims, 4:05 p.m.
Sam Johnson II
Jalen Nero
Gael Romo
Jaleel Scott
Jermarrion Stewart
James Voss
Women's 400-meter dash, 4:20 p.m.
Zoe Adams
Lani Brewer
Aliyah Castillo
Men's 400-meter dash, 4:40 p.m.
Jamari Harts
Derrius Henry
Women's triple jump, 5:15 p.m.
Tolu Odetola
Rayja'nae Pettit
Gabrielle Thomas
Women's 60-meter hurdles final, 6:15 p.m.
TBD
Men's 60-meter hurdles final, 6:19 p.m.
TBD
Women's 60-meter dash final, 6:23 p.m.
TBD
Men's 60-meter dash final, 6:27 p.m.
TBD
Men's triple jump, 6:30 p.m.
Aaron Cooper
Hebrew Hunter
Jedidiah Udunna
Kevin Washington
Women's weight throw, 6:30 p.m.
Hannah Hilding
Women's 800-meter run, 6:30 p.m.
Estrella Medellin
Kailey Salazar
Men's 800-meter run, 6:40 p.m.
Abraham Morales
Jorge Salazar
Women's 200-meter dash, 6:50 p.m.
Zoe Adams
Symoria Adkins
Yaria Akers
Aisha Gay
Nayla Harris
Ashley Lingueno
Daniella Muniz
Men's 200-meter dash, 7:20 p.m.
Sam Johnson II
Jalen Nero
Gael Romo
Jaleel Scott
Jermarrion Stewart
Women's 3,000-meter run, 7:50 p.m.
Samantha Gonzalez
Men's 3,000-meter run, 8:05 p.m.
Alex Canales
Ricardo Garcia
Women's 4x400-meter relay, 8:25 p.m.
TBD
Men's 4x400-meter relay, 8:45 p.m.
TBD
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