Dove, Mita Shine at Howie Ryan Invitational on Friday

HOUSTON – University of Houston Track & Field made a national statement as graduate KeAyla Dove and sophomore Antrea Mita delivered standout performances in the women's shot put and men's high jump, respectively at the Howie Ryan Invitational on Friday inside Yeoman Fieldhouse.

As a team, the Cougars dominated with 12 victories, 12 runner-up finishes, along with eight third-place finishes in their final indoor home meet of the season.

FIELD EVENTS
Dove shattered her record in the women's shot put with a mark of 19.46m (63-10.25) to claim the top spot in the nation while ranking third on the NCAA all-time list. Saturday's victory marked the fourth win in the event this season for the Houston native. Freshman Sydney Freeman placed third with a throw of 13.94m (45-10.50).

Mita had a career day as he broke his personal best mark of 2.26m (7-5.00) in the men's high jump to secure the top mark in the nation this season. Mita was the first Cougar to enter Houston's all-time indoor performance list in the event since 2008 when Ivan Diggs cleared 2.22m (7-3.25). He is now in third, surpassing Scott Budnick's 1984 record of 2.25m (7-4.50). Senior My'Kell Beck secured a runner-up finish as he cleared an indoor personal best of 2.21m (7-3.00) and is tied for seventh in the nation.

The Cougars swept the women's pole vault as freshman standout Evina Panagiotou led the way with a personal-best 4.17m (13-8.25) to win the event and secure sole possession of second on Houston's all-time list. Junior Aubrey Tupper finished second with a mark of 3.82m (12-6.25) while freshman Kaylee Daniel matched the height to take third.

The men's shot put squad secured another sweep led by sophomore Cordell Nwokeji's winning mark of 17.90m (58-8.75). Senior Kevin Grubbs grabbed the second spot as he powered a career-best throw of 17.73m (58-2.00) and freshman Kaden Edwards secured the sweep as his shot traveled 16.74m (54-11.25).

Houston's horizontal jumpers secured podium finishes in their respective events as graduate Caleb Malbrough placed third in the long jump at 7.42m (24-4.25) while senior Kevin Snyder secured second in the men's triple jump with a mark of 15.28m (50-1.75).

RUNNING EVENTS
The Cougars had a successful day in running events with eight victories.

Senior distance runner Eleni Kaiser finished second in the women's mile with a time of 5:04.78 and freshman Madelyn Hunter snagged second in the women's 3000m with a time of 9:58.70.

In the 400-meter, freshman Madyson Thurmond placed second with a time of 56.82. On the men's side, senior Nakoah Witt claimed the victory in the 400-meter with a time of 48.46 and freshman Jaylin Santiago followed in second with a time of 48.62.

Freshman Kali Magana won the women's 600-yard clocking in 1:24.81. Freshman Elijah Hernandez secured a win in the men's 600-yard race at 1:11.39 while senior Charles O'Block competed in the event for the first time in his career taking second at 1:12.66.

Junior Kaycee McCoy won her third 60-meter hurdles race this season with a time of 8.24. Coming in third was redshirt sophomore Tairah Johnson at 8.47.

Senior hurdler Jamar Marshall Jr. secured a runner-up finish in the men's 60-meter hurdles as he crossed the finish line at 7.66 and junior Anthony Trucks followed at 7.75 for third.

Freshman Taylor Jackson had a stellar day as she won the women's 60-meter with a time of 7.49 and collected another victory in the women's 200-meter at 24.13. Freshman Matilde Ochoa finished second in the 60-meter with a time of 7.58 and freshman Carlysia Cresser placed second in the 200-meter at 24.29.

In the men's 60-meter finals, freshman Germain Smith-Mata clocked a time of 6.74 to win the event while senior Ryan Mulholland was third with a time of 6.84.

Senior Brice Chabot sprinted to victory in the men's 200-meter at 21.04 and Mulholland collected another third-place finish with a time of 21.37.

UP NEXT
The Cougars head to Lubbock, Texas, for the Big 12 Indoor Championship from Feb. 28-March 1 with Texas Tech set to host.

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 – 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 X 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 –

Upcoming Events

Recent Results