Conference USA

UTEP T&F Sets Multiple PRs at the Texas Tech Corky Classic Saturday

1/14/2023 5:00:00 PM

RESULTS

LUBBOCK, Texas – The UTEP track and field team completed its first full weekend of competition as a total of 20 personal indoor bests were set at the Texas Tech Corky Classic at the Texas Tech Sports Performance Center in Lubbock on Saturday.

"It's always challenging to start the indoor season after a five-week holiday break and about three days of true practice leading up to it," UTEP Head Coach Mika Laaksonen said. "The speed events dominated when it came to our performances here at Lubbock. I'm pleased for the most part how our season began, especially since we had no injuries here. We will have a short week of practice coming up again before heading out to Albuquerque for our second indoor meet next weekend."

Yusuf Mohamud and Ruth Jerubet highlighted the day as the pair won their respective races.

Jerubet placed first in the 3000-meter event (9:55.38), while Mohamud crossed the finish line first in the mile (4:14.68).

Marissa Simpson made a huge improvement with her time in the 60-meter hurdles. The sophomore sensation clocked in a personal-best 8.23 and finishing second in the 60m H final. Simpson recorded an 8.32 in the preliminaries earlier in the day. Her previous best was a 9.03 at last year's Conference USA Indoor Championships.

Loubna Benhadja, Carshaylah Harrison and Kenneth Talavera opened the meet by setting personal bests in their respective events on Friday evening.

Benhadja clocked in a 1:22.39 in the 600-yard race, placing third. The sophomore topped her previous best 1:35.69 at the MLK Jr. Invite last season.

Talavera turned in a time of 2:25.88 in the 1000-meter event, also placing third. He topped his previous best of 2:31.31 timed at the 2020 Corky Classic.

Harrison posted a personal-best 59.10 in the Section B 400-meter event. Her previous best was a 59.65 at the 2022 Don Kirby Open & Elite.

Jerubet added to her successful day with a personal-best 4:59.01 in the mile run, placing fourth out of 39 competitors.

Daniel Bernal (4:14.69) finished right behind Mohamud (4:14.68) in the mile, while Michael Sims finished sixth out of 45 total runners.

Karon Dean set his personal best in the 60-meter dash first round with a time of 6.65. Dean, who raced a trio of times on Saturday, opened competition with a third-place finish in the qualifying round to advance to the next race, in which he set his PR. Dean clocked in a 6.66 in the final, placing fourth. Dean's previous best was a 6.68 at the MLK last season.

Denae McFarlane clocked in a personal-best 7.52 in the 60-meter first round. Her previous best was a 7.53 at the New Mexico Team Open last year.

Dennis Johnson clocked in a 6.81 in the qualifying round to advance to the next round of the 60-meter dash where he improved to 6.77.

Oghenekaro Brume clocked in a personal-best 55.05 in the A Section 400-meter race, surpassing her previous best of 56.04 at the 2021 Roadrunner Invite.

Joshua Hill made his indoor debut, clocking in a 47.70 on the 400-meter dash.

Niesha Burgher, a transfer from Western Texas College, competed in his first event with UTEP, placing third with a personal-best 23.79 in the 200-meter dash. Her previous best was a 24.49 at the 2022 Jarvis Scott Open.

The women's 4x400-meter relay team finished sixth out of 26 programs. The relay team consisted of Benhadja, Burgher, Simpson and Brume who clocked in a 3:45.60. Saturday's time surpassed last year's best of 3:47.91.

UP NEXT
The Miners will compete at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Collegiate Invitational on Saturday, Jan. 21 in Albuquerque, N.M.

2023 UTEP INDOOR TRACK & FIELD SCHEDULE
Jan. 13-14        Texas Tech Corky Classic                                                         Lubbock, Texas
Jan. 21             Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Collegiate Invitational                   Albuquerque, N.M.
Feb. 3-4           New Mexico Collegiate Classic                                               Albuquerque, N.M.
Feb. 10-11 Don Kirby Invitational                                                             Albuquerque, N.M.
Feb. 18-19       C-USA ITF Championships                                                       Birmingham, Ala.
March 10         NCAA ITF Championships                                                       Albuquerque, N.M.

For complete coverage of UTEP Track & Field/Cross Country, be sure to follow the Miners on social media at @UTEPTrack (Twitter/Instagram/Facebook) or visit the official home of UTEP Athletics at UTEPMiners.com.

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