Meet Record Falls on Day One of Championships

Friday, May 10

Wichita, Kan.

All Day

University of Houston

The American Outdoor Championships

5/10/2019 9:42:00 PM | Track and Field

2019 AAC OTF Men Results Friday 2019 AACOTF Women Results Friday

Lattin runs fourth-fastest time in NCAA in 400-meter hurdles

WICHITA, Kan. – The University of Houston Track & Field team put itself in scoring position on the opening day of action at the 2019 American Athletic Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships.

Thirteen Cougars advanced to the finals in five different events on the first day of action at the conference championships, highlighted by record breaking performance from senior Amere Lattin.

Championship Central can be accessed by clicking HERE, live results can found HERE. Men's heat sheets can be found HERE. Women's heat sheets can be found HERE.

HOW IT HAPPENED ON THE MEN'S SIDE

Freshman Christian Gilmore led the charge for the Cougars in the men's 800-meter run. Gilmore took first-place in the prelims with a time of 1:51.41 and will advance to the finals alongside teammate Cameron Laverty who finished at 1:52.24.

Houston came out swinging in the 200-meter dash, advancing six to the finals of the event led by a top-finish from Kahmari Montgomery at 20.68. Defending champion Mario Burke wins his heat and finishes second overall in the prelims at 20.88, followed by Obi Igbokwe with a third-place finish at 20.94. Edward Sumler IV clinched the fifth spot in the finals, advancing with a time of 21.07, followed by Jordan Booker in sixth-place at 21.14. Nicholas Alexander would secure the eighth and final spot in the finals with a time of 21.32.

With the fourth fastest time in the NCAA this season and a season-best, two-time 400-meter hurdles champion Amere Lattin became the first athlete in The American to run a sub-50 second time in the event at the conference championships. There was nothing but daylight between Lattin and the rest of the field as the senior set the league record in the prelims with a time of 49.79 advancing to the finals as the top-seed. Quivell Jordan won his heat and will join Lattin in the finals with a time of 50.63.

HOW IT HAPPENED ON THE WOMEN'S SIDE

Mikaila Martin got things going for the Cougars after advancing to the final of the women's hammer throw with a fifth-place finish in the trials. Martin closed out the day with a sixth-place finish, her best throw coming on her second attempt at 194-1 (59.31). The mark is a season-high and just shy of her lifetime best mark of 195-0 (59.44).

Hawa Wague leads the Cougars in the heptathlon though four events, as four Cougars complete the field for Houston. Wague's highest finish came in the heptathlon high jump where the sophomore tied for third-place with teammate Reagan Luce. With three events left Wague sits in seventh-place with 2,921 points.

Ashley Seymour will lead the Cougars into the finals of the 200-meter dash after finishing in sixth-place overall and winning her heat with a time of 24.145. Naomi Taylor will join Seymour after clinching the eighth spot in the finals after clocking a time of 24.07.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN OUTDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Saturday session will get going at 10:30 a.m. when the decathlon and heptathlon will wrap up. Field events are slated for a 3 p.m. start, beginning with the women's long jump. Track events will begin at 5:30 p.m. with the 100-meter hurdles.

The final day of the championships are slated for a 2:30 p.m. start with the men's high jump. The full schedule can be accessed by clicking HERE.

WHERE TO WATCH
The 2019 American Athletic Conference Outdoor Championships will be streamed live on the American Digital Network Plus Facebook page. Fans can catch all three days of action by clicking HERE.

FOLLOW THE COUGARS
Fans can keep up with the latest in University of Houston Cougar athletics by following us on Facebook (Facebook.com/HoustonAthletics), Twitter (@UHCougars), Instagram (houstoncougars) and YouTube.com (Youtube.com/UHAthletics). In addition, the Track & Field team has established its own official Facebook (facebook.com/UHCougarTF) and Twitter pages (@UHCougarTF).

SUPPORTING HOUSTON TRACK & FIELD
The Podium Club serves as a unique and effective way to enhance the level of excitement and support for Houston Cougar Track & Field and Cross Country. Gifts to the Podium Club provide financial support directly to the UH Track & Field and Cross Country programs for needs beyond their operating budgets. Donations made to the Podium Club are used at the discretion of the Head Coach.

Houston supporters interested in joining the Podium Club or for more information, please click here.

--UHCougars.com--