Friday, February 3
Albuquerque, N.M.
University of Houston
at
New Mexico Collegiate Classic
Beckford, Sampy Break School Records
2/4/2023 7:07:00 PM | Track and Field
Beckford breaks 23-year-old school record, Sampy vaults to record
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Two University of Houston track and field school records fell at the New Mexico Collegiate Classic on Friday and Saturday as seniors Kelly-Ann Beckford and Christyan Sampy broke the 800-meter and pole vault school records, respectively.
Houston's first multiple day meet of the season had a school record fall on both days, starting with Beckford's 800 school record on Friday, followed by Sampy's in the pole vault.
Beckford ran a season-best 2 minutes, 5.74 seconds, which altitude adjusts to 2:05.04, finishing second overall in the event but first among collegiate athletes in the field. Beckford's time ranks first in the American Athletic Conference and 20th nationally. When running at altitude, sprinters are penalized time because of the lower air resistance, but distance runners from 800-meters and longer are rewarded for running with less oxygen in the air.
Sampy, who is tied for the school record outdoor in the pole vault, leaped an indoor school record of 5.53 meters on his final attempt at the height. The senior had cleared three consecutive bars before his attempts at 5.53 meters.
Graduate Priscilla Adejokun continued her solid season in the weight throw, posting another 21-plus meter mark on Friday. Adejokun finished runner-up with a 21.04-meter mark and still leads the conference in the weight throw.
The first result of the meet for Houston came from PJ Harris III in the high jump where the graduate student jumped a season-best 2.07 meters. The Compton, Calif., native finished ninth overall and ranks fourth in the American Athletic Conference.
In her first meet of the season, Nu'uausala Tuilefano threw down the best shot put throw in the conference this season with a 15.71 meter throw on her second attempt on Saturday.
Senior Destiny Lawrence leaped into the record book with a 12.41-meter triple jump on Saturday, which ranks eighth all-time in school history. Lawrence finished eighth overall and now ranks seventh in the conference rankings.
UP NEXT
Houston will split its squad between two meets next week with a group going to Arkansas' Tyson Invitational Feb. 10-11 and another group staying home for the Cougars' Howie Ryan Invitational on Feb. 10.
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference. Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win when we start Big 12 competition in July 2023. Click here to rise and be counted.
JOIN the PODIUM CLUB
The Podium Club serves as a unique and effective way to enhance the level of excitement and support for Houston Cougar Track and Field and Cross Country. Gifts to the Podium Club provide financial support directly to the programs for needs beyond their operating budgets.
Donations made to the Podium Club are used at the discretion of the head coach. For more information or to sign up, click here. To join the Podium Club, fans may call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (4687).
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates on #HTownSpeedCity by following @UHCougarTF on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarTF or on the team's Instagram page at @uhcougartf.
Houston's first multiple day meet of the season had a school record fall on both days, starting with Beckford's 800 school record on Friday, followed by Sampy's in the pole vault.
Beckford ran a season-best 2 minutes, 5.74 seconds, which altitude adjusts to 2:05.04, finishing second overall in the event but first among collegiate athletes in the field. Beckford's time ranks first in the American Athletic Conference and 20th nationally. When running at altitude, sprinters are penalized time because of the lower air resistance, but distance runners from 800-meters and longer are rewarded for running with less oxygen in the air.
Sampy, who is tied for the school record outdoor in the pole vault, leaped an indoor school record of 5.53 meters on his final attempt at the height. The senior had cleared three consecutive bars before his attempts at 5.53 meters.
Graduate Priscilla Adejokun continued her solid season in the weight throw, posting another 21-plus meter mark on Friday. Adejokun finished runner-up with a 21.04-meter mark and still leads the conference in the weight throw.
The first result of the meet for Houston came from PJ Harris III in the high jump where the graduate student jumped a season-best 2.07 meters. The Compton, Calif., native finished ninth overall and ranks fourth in the American Athletic Conference.
In her first meet of the season, Nu'uausala Tuilefano threw down the best shot put throw in the conference this season with a 15.71 meter throw on her second attempt on Saturday.
Senior Destiny Lawrence leaped into the record book with a 12.41-meter triple jump on Saturday, which ranks eighth all-time in school history. Lawrence finished eighth overall and now ranks seventh in the conference rankings.
UP NEXT
Houston will split its squad between two meets next week with a group going to Arkansas' Tyson Invitational Feb. 10-11 and another group staying home for the Cougars' Howie Ryan Invitational on Feb. 10.
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference. Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win when we start Big 12 competition in July 2023. Click here to rise and be counted.
JOIN the PODIUM CLUB
The Podium Club serves as a unique and effective way to enhance the level of excitement and support for Houston Cougar Track and Field and Cross Country. Gifts to the Podium Club provide financial support directly to the programs for needs beyond their operating budgets.
Donations made to the Podium Club are used at the discretion of the head coach. For more information or to sign up, click here. To join the Podium Club, fans may call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (4687).
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates on #HTownSpeedCity by following @UHCougarTF on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarTF or on the team's Instagram page at @uhcougartf.
– UHCougars.com –
Players Mentioned
Throws
/ Track and Field
Sprints/Distance
/ Track and Field
Jumps
/ Track and Field
Jumps
/ Track and Field
Pole Vault
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Throws
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