University of Houston
American Championships
Tuilefano Wins Shot Put, Cougars Well Positioned for Sunday
5/13/2023 10:54:00 PM | Track and Field
Shot put thrower wins second 2023 conference title, women third after Saturday, men positioned well
TAMPA, Fla. – Senior Nu'uausala Tuilefano won the shot put on her final throw of the day and the Houston track and field program picked up 21 points in the women's shot put as the women sit in third after events concluded on Saturday at the American Athletic Conference Championships.
After a nearly five-hour lightning delay in Tampa, Day Two of the conference championships resumed where it left off, in the middle of the women's shot put and long jump. At 4:09 p.m. ET when the meet was halted, sophomore Daisy Monie led the field with a personal record 15.70-meter throw. Monie's throw moved her to fourth all-time in program history and held until her teammate Tuilefano's final throw of the day. The Oceanside, Calif., native wrapped up her final season as a Cougar winning both the indoor and outdoor shot put crowns. Senior Hailey Pollard finished third for three additional points.
Houston finished third through seventh, with all five Cougars entered in the event scoring 20 crucial points. Senior Benjamin Okafor finished third (7.35 meters), freshman Aaron Davis II finished fourth (7.33 meters), junior Shaun Maswanganyi finished fifth matching Davis II (7.33 meters), sophomore Floyd Iglehart finished sixth (7.17 meters) and junior Caleb Malbrough finished seventh (7.14 meters).
In the women's long jump, senior Jayla Fields jumped 5.97 meters to finished fourth overall. Junior Alexis Tilford-Rutherford finished seventh with a jump of 5.89 meters.
Entering the final event of the night, the 3000-meter steeplechase, the women led the meet with 34 points.
Four women sprinters advanced to Sunday finals in the 100-meter dash, 400-meter dash and 100-meter hurdles.
Senior Cecilia Tamayo-Garza won her heat in the 100 to qualify for the final. Juniors Iman Babineaux and Linesha Thompson both qualified on time to the 400 final thanks to a two-three finish in the first heat and Thompson's 1.21 second lifetime best finish. Sophomore Destiny Smith won her heat in the 100 hurdles to advance to the final for the second-straight year.
On the men's side, 10 Cougars advanced to finals in the 100, 400, 800-meter run, and 110-meter hurdles.
UP NEXT
The Cougars conclude competition at the American Athletic Conference Championships in Tampa Sunday at 11:30 a.m. ET with the women's pole vault.
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
