Miners track claims numerous firsts at UTEP Invitational

UTEP dominated the competition at the 2014 UTEP Invitational as the Miners clinched nine crowns at the meet.

“Today’s performances really showed us a team that could be a threat at the Conference USA Championships,” said head coach Mika Laaksonen. “The team is performing to what we know they’re capable and I am pleased with the meet’s outcome.”

Leading the Orange and Blue was two-time National Champion Anthony Rotich. The All-American registered the second fastest time in the nation in the 1,500m run as he crossed the finish line first with a time of 3:42.55. The junior’s performance was a personal-best in his career ranking him ninth in program history. Teammate Cosmas Boit placed second in the event with a time of 3:48.13.

El Paso native Daniel Tarango continued the distance squad’s success as he claimed gold in the 800m run. The distance runner clocked in a time of 1:54.74 ranking him 18th in Conference USA.

The Miners continued to dominate the meet as Sven Zellner claimed the crown in the 110m hurdles. The sophomore finished with a personal best of 14.09 (+1.3w) to maintain his third place ranking in C-USA action.

Teammate Roberto Camacho secured second place in the 400m hurdles with a time of 51.81. He currently ranks third in conference and 21st in the nation.

Senior Abiola Onakoya captured a silver-medal finish in the 200m dash with a season-best of 21.24 garnering him the ninth fastest time in Conference USA.

Junior A-Shawni Mitchell took third in the 400m dash with a season-best of 47.61.

On the field, the UTEP men claimed one crown and two silver medal finishes.

El Paso native Carlos Hernandez garnered first in the high jump with a mark of 2.05m (6-8.75).

All-American Mark Jackson placed second in the long jump with a leap of 7.70m (25-3.25) earning him the seventh-best jump in the nation and second in the league.

Andres Estrada rounded out the men’s field events with silver finish in the triple jump.

On the women’s side, the Miners were represented by Nickevea Wilson who captured gold in the triple jump. The All-American delivered a leap of 13.07m (42-10.57) to rank her third in the nation and first in Conference USA. Teammate Rahelys Barsey finished third with a leap of 12.33m (40-5.43) +4.5w.

El Paso native Monica Lopez registered a personal-best in the long jump with a mark of 5.67m (18-7.22) to finish first in her heat and fourth overall.

The UTEP women continued to lead the field events as Taylor Gunn secured a gold and a bronze medal for the Orange and Blue in the hammer throw and discus throw. The junior recorded a personal-best toss of 52.44m (172-0.56) in the hammer throw placing her fifth in the conference.

In the 100m hurdles the four Miners placed in the top-ten. Leading the group was Janice Jackson who claimed the crown with a time of 13.12. Teammates Greta Kerekes followed in fourth (14.05), Bria Love in sixth (14.14) and Aeisha McDavid in seventh (14.36).

Anna-Kay James was the only Miner to compete in the 400m hurdles. The junior transfer finished second overall with a time of 1:01.69 ranking her sixth in C-USA.

On the sprints side, Florence Uwakwe and Janice Jackson led the Orange and Blue to a one-two finish in the 200m dash. Uwakwe placed first with a personal-best time 23.56 placing her second in Conference USA and 29th in the nation. Jackson followed in second place with her-own personal-best of 23.76. The All-American ranks fourth in conference.