University of Houston Athletics
University of Houston
Mt. SAC Relays
Selena Sierra Breaks School Steeplechase Record
4/13/2017 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field
HOUSTON â€" Senior distance runner Selena Sierra broke her own school record in the women's 3000-meter steeplechase, as the Houston Cougar Men's and Women's Track & Field teams opened action at the Mt. SAC Relays on Thursday.
ABOUT THE MT. SAC RELAYS
Torrance, Calif. | Murdock Stadium | April 13-15
Meet Information | Meet Schedule | Entries | Live Results
ABOUT THE BEACH INVITATIONAL
Long Beach, Calif. | Jack Rose Stadium | April 14-15
Meet Information | Meet Schedule | Entries | Live Results
SIERRA'S TOP MARK
Competing in the first section of the steeplechase, Sierra crossed the line in 10:26.41 to finish fifth in the race. Sierra's mark breaks her previous school best of 10:31.07, which she ran to win the 2016 American Athletic Conference Championship in the event, and moved her to No. 26 on the NCAA list for the steeple this season.
Sierra holds two University of Houston distance records after breaking the indoor 5,000-meter dash record last season, and then topping her own mark in 2017 at the American Indoor Championships.
THROWING THE HAMMER
A pair of Houston throwers opened competition for the Cougars on Thursday in the men's and women's hammer throw. Senior Damon Thompson was in the ring for the men, where he qualified for the finals with a mark of 188-0 (57.32m) on his first attempt. On his final throw, Thompson would improve to 192-3 (58.59m) to finish sixth.
Sophomore Taylor Scaife set a new personal best in the women's hammer. Scaife tossed a career-best 183-0 (55.79m) on her first throw, and later improved to 183-1 (55.80m) in the final round. Scaife's eighth place finish moves her to No. 94 in the nation this season.
STILL TO COME THIS WEEKEND
LATTIN OWNS THE HURDLES
Sophomore hurdler Amere Lattin will be in action in each of the 110- and 400-meter hurdles for the second consecutive weekend. At the Houston Alumni Invitational, Lattin swept the events after running 13.73 in the 110 and 51.38 in the 400 to move to No. 9 and No. 22 in the nation, respectively. The performance for Lattin earned him his third American Athletic Conference Track Athlete of the Week award for the outdoor season and fourth overall in 2017.
HOPPING ON EASTER WEEKEND
While competing on Easter Weekend, it's only fitting that the Cougars would enter a bevy of top-ranked jumpers in the weekend competitions. Four Cougars enter the weekend ranked inside the nation's top-50 in the long jump while three hold top-15 marks.
In the women's event, junior Tonye'cia Burks holds the nation's No. 7 mark at 21-0.5 (6.41m), while freshman Samiyah Samuels' leap of 20-6.25 (6.25m) places her 14th on the national list. Each of their jumps earned them American Conference Field Athlete of the Week honors in their respective competitions. Burks will also be in action in the triple jump where she enters ranking No. 8 in the NCAA at a school-record 43-5.0 (13.23m).
A trio of men's jumpers will be in action, led by Jefferson who posted a mark of 25-3.5 (7.71m) at the Texas Relays to open the month and ranks 11th on the NCAA list. He will be joined by juniors Antwan Dickerson (24-5.0; 7.44m) and Jared Kerr (24-4.25; 7.42m) who rank No. 45 and No. 53 in the event, respectively.
Sophomore Colin George is scheduled to be in action in the high jump at The Beach Invitational. George enters with the No. 86 height in the nation after hopping 6-8.75 (2.05m) at the Texas Relays.
THROWING IT DOWN
The Cougar men boast two of the nation's top shot put competitors in the nation. Junior Cameron Cornelius will look to continue his stellar season in California, entering competition with the nation's 12th best mark at 61-11.5 (18.88m). Senior Alex Garza made his outdoor debut at the Houston Alumni Invitational last week where he threw 57-8.25 (17.58m) to earn second in the event and move to No. 66 on the national list.
UP NEXT FOR HOUSTON
The Cougars return to Houston for the J. Fred Duckett Twilight Invitational, hosted by Rice. The meet will be held Saturday, April 22, at the Wendell D. Ley Track Stadium.
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Players Mentioned
