CANYON, TEXAS – The UT Tyler track and field programs continued competition Friday at the Lone Star Conference Outdoor Championships with another strong day highlighted by conference titles, NCAA marks, finals qualifiers, and scoring performances across the track and field events.
Leading the way was Juliane Frueh, who captured the women's heptathlon title after totaling 5,465 points to win the event by 427 points. Frueh claimed first-place finishes in four events throughout the competition, including the 100-meter hurdles, high jump, shot put, and 800 meters. Her 2:10.52 performance in the 800 meters also set a new school record and currently ranks among the top times nationally in NCAA Division II.
In the women's long jump, Aerin Thompson placed third with a leap of 6.04 meters, a mark that ranks inside the top 20 nationally, while Jasmine Haywood added another scoring performance with a fifth-place finish at 5.91 meters.
Freshman Hunter Rivett continued his impressive weekend by finishing fourth in the men's discus throw with a personal-best mark of 48.39 meters after already medaling in the hammer throw earlier in the meet.
On the track, the Patriots added several more finals qualifiers beginning in the women's 400 meters as Thompson posted the top qualifying time at 52.85 while Kamaria Carr also advanced to the finals.
UT Tyler swept multiple qualifying spots in the men's 400-meter prelims as freshmen Jakai Timmons, Dakalon Tyler, and Preston Ayers all advanced to the finals. Timmons recorded a lifetime-best 46.68 that moved him into the top 30 nationally in Division II.
Dylan Bennett qualified for the men's 100-meter finals after running 10.26, a mark that ranks among the top ten times nationally this season.
In the hurdle events, Hannah Lakin advanced to the women's 400-meter hurdles final with a personal-best 59.17, while Zakaiya Hunte (5th, 1:02.42) and Jeremiah Evans (4th, 53.37) also secured finals spots in their respective hurdle events.
The Patriots added more points in the distance races as Elayna Metzger finished fifth in the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase and Gaige Gordey earned a third-place finish in the men's steeplechase.
UT Tyler will wrap up competition at the Lone Star Conference Outdoor Championships on Saturday in Canyon, Texas.
