HOUSTON — Danielle Spence broke a 27-year-old school record in the triple jump to highlight Saturday action for the UTSA women's track & field team at the Houston Invitational at Yeoman Fieldhouse.
Spence skipped to a career-best mark of 42-11 ½ (13.09 meters) to win the triple jump and eclipse the previous UTSA record of 41-7 (12.67m) set by Portia Matthews in 1992. The sophomore from Jamaica was sitting in first place after measuring 42-8 ¼ (13.01m) on her second attempt until Sam Houston State's Tristyn Allen skipped to 42-9 (13.03m) on her fifth try. Spence reclaimed the lead on her sixth and final jump to secure the gold medal and school record in her first triple jump competition of the year.
"It was really exciting to see what Danielle did today," UTSA Director of Track & Field/Cross Country Aaron Fox said. "She had a few jumps where she fouled, but she was able to put that behind her and win the event and set the record on her final attempt. She's only scratching the surface of where she can go this year."
Spence also posted a runner-up performance in Friday's long jump with a personal-best 19-2 ¾ (5.86m) measurement.
Meanwhile, Jamiah Jackson moved into third place on UTSA's all-time performers list in the 60-meter hurdles with a career showing on Saturday. The Orlando, Fla., native clocked an 8.50 for third place among collegians (fourth overall) .
Creshaun Cresser raced to a bronze medal in the 400m. Competing in her hometown, the Jersey Village High School product circled the banked, 200-meter track twice in a time of 57.78 for third place.
The Roadrunners will return to action next Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 1-2, at the Charlie Thomas Invitational in College Station.
UTSA Results
60 Meters (Qualifying)
4. Olivia Esemena 7.66
60 Meters (Prelims)
11. Olivia Esemena 7.67
200 Meters (A Section)
15. Olivia Esemena 25.47
200 Meters (B Section)
3. Olivia Esemena 25.47
400 Meters (A Section)
3. Creshaun Cresser 57.78
800 Meters
20. Rian Rodriguez 2:26.72
Mile
27. Charlette Janicek 5:23.44
3,000 Meters
8. Amber Boyd 10:38.67
12. Abby Balli 10:42.69
15. Colleen Gilbert 10:48.07
60-Meter Hurdles (Qualifying)
19. Chase Whiting 10.41
60-Meter Hurdles (Prelims)
7. Jamiah Jackson 8.87
60-Meter Hurdles (Final)
3. Jamiah Jackson 8.50
4x400-Meter Relay
14. Jayela Starr, Stephanie Sauceda, Rian Rodriguez, Sofia Salinas 4:15.84
Pole Vault
10. Caroline Bellows 3.70m (12-1 ½)
— Alexandria Gray NH
Long Jump
2. Danielle Spence 5.86m (19-2 ¾)
Triple Jump
1. Danielle Spence 13.09 (42-11 ½)
Shot Put
6. Maia Campbell 14.48m (47-6 ¼)
15. Lacee Barnes 11.53m (37-10)
20. Brenttany Birdow 10.73m (35-2 ½)
Weight Throw
7. Maia Campbell 15.70m (51-6 ¼)
16. Faith Olszak 13.68m (44-10 ¾)
17. Cynthia Gonzales 13.62m (44-8 ¼)
— Lacee Barnes FOUL
Pentathlon
4. Gabriyella Torres 3,661 points
60-Meter Hurdles (8.91/929); High Jump (1.61m [5-3 ¼]/747); Shot Put (9.87m [32-4 ¾]/521); Long Jump (5.76m [18-10 ¾]/777); 800 Meters (2:30.44/687)
