Meyer, Sampy, Townsend Break School Records

Friday, February 9

Houston, Texas

University of Houston

Howie Ryan Invitational

2/9/2024 11:00:00 PM | Track and Field

Howie Ryan Results (PDF)Don Kirby Friday Results (PDF)David Hemery Results (PDF)

Cougars close out action Saturday at Don Kirby Invitational in Albuquerque, N.M.

By: Colton Merritt

HOUSTON – The University of Houston Track and Field program closed out Friday with three new school records, six first-place finishes and 34 personal bests at the Howie Ryan, Don Kirby and David Hemery Valentine Invitationals.

DAVID HEMERY VALENTINE INVITATIONAL
In Boston, Mass. graduate sprinter Sydni Townsend came out hot, winning the 400-meter with a time of 52.74 and not only set a personal best, but also broke the indoor 400-meter school record previously set in 2014 by Brittany Wallace at 52.93. Townsend's time moved her into the Top-20 in the nation for the 400-meter.

Graduate sprinter Claire Meyer closed out the evening for the Cougars at the David Hemery Valentine Invitational in the 5000-meter run. Meyer also set a personal best and new school record in the event with a time of 16:11.97.

DON KIRBY INVITATIONAL
Graduate pole vaulter Christyan Sampy found success in Albuquerque, N.M., as he broke the indoor school record with a pole vault of 5.62 (18'- 5.25) meters.

Sampy finished in fourth place, behind three professional athletes at the Albuquerque Convention Center, and is now No. 3 in the nation.

HOWIE RYAN INVITATIONAL
Back at Yeoman Fieldhouse, the Cougars found success by setting a new facility record in the men's 600-yard run, along with five first-place finishes.

In the men's 600-yard race, juniors Dillon Leacock and Adam Mason finished in the top two spots. Leacock broke the Yeoman Fieldhouse record with a personal best time of 1:10.49. Mason also set a personal best, crossing the line at 1:10.68.

Senior Halena Rahmaan won the 800-meter with a personal best time of 2:10.71. Coming in second place was graduate MiKenna Robinson, who had a personal best time of 2:11.52. The pair moved to No. 6 and No. 7 in the indoor school record book, respectively.

Freshman Michaela Mouton won the 200-meter dash, setting a personal best time of 23.57 and moving to No. 8 in the indoor all-time performance list. Mouton now has victories in the 200-meter and 400-meter in just three meets as a Cougar.

Freshman thrower Cordell Nwokeji won the shot put with a throw of 17.12 meters. This marks the freshman's second first-place finish in his collegiate career.

In the men's high jump, junior MyKell Beck finished second overall with 2.08 meters, matching his season best. Senior jumper Caleb Malbrough set a personal best in the long jump with a jump of 7.44 meters to finish in second.

Senior jumper David Ajama finished in second place in the triple jump with a jump of 15.83 meters, which put him No. 15 in the nation.

Graduate thrower Ethan Marshall placed third in the weight throw with a throw of 19.46 meters.

Freshman thrower Paris Kimble earned her first collegiate podium, placing second in the shot put with a throw of 14.16 meters.

In the women's pole vault, freshman Laney Kucera finished third with a height of 3.70 meters, which moved her to No. 5 in the indoor school record book.

In the women's 60-meter hurdles, redshirt freshman Tairah Johnson claimed second with her time of 8.39, a new personal best.

Senior sprinter Linesha Thompson ran to second with a time of 7.42 in the 60-meter dash.

In distance events, junior Daniela Castillo finished the 3000-meter in 10:19.47, a personal best to take third, while junior Eleni Kaiser finished the mile run in second place at 5:05.96.

To end the Howie Ryan Invitational, Houston's 4x400-meter relay consisting of freshman Joshua Sims-Waddy and juniors Trey East III, Dillon Leacock and Charlie O'Block ran a time of 3:12.63.

UP NEXT
Action continues Saturday at the Don Kirby Invitational, where senior hurdler De'Vion Wilson and junior hurdler Miracle Thompson will compete in the 60-meter hurdles.

SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Track and Field by supporting LinkingCoogs – UH's very own NIL collective, giving to Houston Rise, and by joining the Podium Club which provides support directly to Houston Track and Field for needs beyond its operating budget.

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 –