SAN ANTONIO — Maia Campbell and Vincent Perez each finished second in the throwing events to highlight action for the UTSA track & field teams on the first day of the UTSA Invitational on Friday at Park West Athletics Complex.
Campbell won the silver medal in the women's shot put with a personal-best mark of 14.61m (47-11 ¼). That measurement came on her third attempt and just bettered her previous PR of 14.60m (47-11) set at the 2018 Texas Invitational. The junior from Converse Judson High School also placed sixth in the hammer throw with a 48.00m (157-5) effort, as she tallied nine points on the day for the women.
Perez secured silver in the men's hammer with a personal-best throw of 58.19 meters (190-11), bettering his previous career standard of 56.59m (185-8) set at last year's Baylor Invitational. The senior from San Antonio Marshall High School's best mark came on his final attempt and was just shy of the winning toss of 58.53m (192-0) by Kentucky's Charles Lenford Jr.
Meanwhile, Faith Olszak established a new PR in the women's hammer with a throw of 49.31m (161-9) to finish fourth. That measurement improved the senior from Weslaco's previous career best of 48.71m (159-10) by nearly two feet.
A pair of multi-eventers contributed 11 points in the women's javelin. Chase Whiting placed third with a personal-best throw of 34.76m (114-0) and Gabriyella Torres took fourth with a 32.16m (105-6) mark.
On the men's side, Steven Thomas grabbed bronze in the hammer throw with a 53.84m (176-7) measurement, an improvement from his 53.39m (175-2) effort at last year's Roadrunner Invitational.
Jake McDaniel established a new personal best in the javelin, as the junior from Houston tossed the implement to a distance of 54.23m (177-11) for fifth place.
In Friday night action on the track, Omar Bekdache placed fourth in the men's 2,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 6:46.00, while Briana Gonzalez was fourth in the women's 2k steeple with a 7:45.06 clocking.
Saturday's action will get underway with field events beginning at 11 a.m. and running events starting at 2 p.m. Admission and parking are free.
UTSA Results (Friday, March 15)
MEN
5,000 Meters
11. Martin Luevano 15:59.63
12. Josh Rodriguez 16:12.30
2,000-Meter Steeplechase
4. Omar Bekdache 6:46.00
Shot Put
6. Mike Zuniga 13.64m (44-9)
8. Jake McDaniel 11.06m (36-3 ½)
9. Justin Wright 9.99m (32-9 ½)
Hammer Throw
2. Vincent Perez 58.19m (190-11)
3. Steven Thomas 53.84m (176-7)
Javelin
5. Jake McDaniel 54.23m (177-11)
9. Justin Wright 40.20m (131-11)
WOMEN
5,000 Meters
8. Gabby Gonzales 18:48.99
9. Abby Balli 19:12.33
2,000-Meter Steeplechase
4. Briana Gonzalez 7:45.06
Shot Put
2. Maia Campbell 14.61m (47-11 ¼)
9. Brenttany Birdow 11.34m (37-2 ½)
10. Chase Whiting 9.97m (32-8 ½)
11. Gabriyella Torres 9.56m (31-4 ½)
Hammer Throw
4. Faith Olszak 49.31m (161-9)
6. Maia Campbell 48.00m (157-5)
10. Cynthia Gonzales 39.80m (130-7)
Javelin
3. Chase Whiting 34.76m (114-0)
4. Gabriyella Torres 32.16m (105-6)
