COLLEGE STATION – Texas A&M wrapped up the Reveille Invitational on Saturday with a meet record performance in the women’s 4×400 relay as a pair of newcomers ran the last two legs of the Aggies winning 3:35.25 effort.
It was one of 10 victories by Aggies on the day as Texas A&M wrapped up fall training prior to the winter break.
“The time over the break is extremely important to maintain what they have worked on and done to this point,” stated Texas A&M head coach Pat Henry, who is in 15th season with the Aggies. “We try and let them see where they are and hopefully they will work a little harder. Sometimes the younger athletes have a hard time understanding how hard this level is. High school is completely different from this.
“As a whole we did OK. A number of people either competed unattached or didn’t compete today, but I am pleased with where we are. Now they know what they need to do to be successful, and they know how hard they’re going to have to work to get there.”
The impressive relay time by A&M bettered the previous meet record of 3:35.97 set in 2010 by TCU as the Aggies topped a field that included Texas (3:37.80), TCU (3:40.79) and Houston (3:45.60).
Julia Madubuike led off the relay with a 54.30 split as Jarra Owens provided a 54.44 second leg. Then freshman Tierra Robinson-Jones supplied a 53.50 carry on third leg with sophomore transfer Syaira Richardson anchoring the relay in 53.01.
“I didn’t expect to split as fast as I did, but I trusted coach Henry and I applied what I have been doing in fall training,” noted Richardson. “I don’t feel burnt out because the training is more efficient here. I was pretty nervous going into it since I haven’t run an indoor 400 since last season. I’m also new to the program and the training is different after Ohio State.”
Jace Comick impressed with a pair indoor personal best times as he won the 200m in 21.06 over Terry Brown, Jr. of Texas (21.46) and posted a 6.79 as runner-up in the 60m to Houston’s Mario Burke (6.75).
“Today went great,” said Comick. “I was trusting my training in the 200, and in the 60 I was just trying to win and do something different to improve on my 100 outdoors. I was anxious to get back, since I was injured a lot of last year. If you trust your training and listen to your coaches, you will see improvement.”
The men’s 4×400 unit rallied with an anchor leg of 46.21 by Devin Dixon to win in 3:07.47 over TCU (3:10.94), Houston (3:11.86) and Texas (3:17.73). A second Aggie crew placed fourth in 3:13.65.
Aggies victories also included Sammy Watson in the women’s 1,000m with a 2:50.94 clocking that is the No. 6 performance on the A&M all-time list. Teammates Jean Jenkins (2:53.05, No. 7 performer A&M) and Brittany Parker (2:58.82) finished second and third.
Carlton Orange claimed the men’s 1000m with a 2:25.39 that ranks No. 7 performer on the Aggie all-time list. David Torkington finished third in 2:30.94.
Gabe Oladipo won the weight throw with a toss of 60-8 (18.49), moving to No. 6 on the A&M all-time list, and finished second in the shot put with a mark of 56-8 ¾ (17.29). Alstian Walker cleared 6-10 ¼ (2.09) to win the high jump, equaling the No. 12 mark on the Aggie all-time list, while freshman newcomer Mason Corbin placed third with a clearance of 6-8 ¼ (2.04).
Taryn Milton produced an impressive 19-7 ½ (5.98) to win the long jump with teammates Virginia Kerley and Ciynamon Stevenson both hitting a mark of 18-4 ¼ (5.59) to place second and third. Milton also ran 8.46 in the 60m hurdles for a runner-up effort.
Additional victories for the Aggies included Valarie Bradley in the 3,000m (10:27.82), Kirby Matocha in the high jump (5-5 ¾), and Augusta Thomason in the pole vault (12-8 ¼). Julia Madubuike ran 23.77 as runner-up in the 200m behind a 23.66 for Teahna Daniels of Texas.
Texas A&M athletes competing unattached who claimed wins were Tahar Triki in the long jump (25-0 ½ | 7.63), Wes McPhail in the mile (4:18.41) over Jon Bishop (4:19.94), and Brenessa Thompson in the 60m (7.63).
In the men’s pole vault, Aggie alum Audie Wyatt and senior Jacob Wooten both cleared 17-1 ½ (5.22). Wyatt claimed the win on fewer misses. Freshman Robin Nool placed third with a height of 16-7 ½ (5.07).
Alum Alex Riba won the 3,000m in 8:23.83 over Taylor Clayton (8:32.95) and Jake Bootz (8:33.27). Rachel Bernardo posted a time of 4:58.76 to finish as the top collegian in the women’s mile. Parker Clay finished second in the women’s shot put with a toss of 47-5 ¾ (14.47), which is No. 12 on the Aggie all-time list.
Story courtesy of Texas A&M Athletics