Jacquilyn Orozco/UTEP Athletics

Bernal, Jerubet Notch Victories on First Day at the UNM Collegiate Classic

2/3/2023 9:24:00 PM

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – UTEP's Daniel Bernal and Ruth Jerubet headlined day one for the Miners, as the pair raced out to victories in the 3000-meter event at the New Mexico Collegiate Classic in the Albuquerque Convention Center on Friday.

"We are competing hard and making strong progress," UTEP Head Coach Mika Laaksonen said "I'm happy to see that as a coach with the Conference USA Championships looming two weeks away. The teams are fired up and can't wait to compete here again tomorrow against several top team in the nation."

Jerubet turned in a 9:56.05 in the 3000m, producing her second victory this season in the event. She opened the indoor campaign with a first-place finish at the Texas Tech Corky Classic on Jan. 14. Jerubet beat out a pair of the NM State runners (2^nd Maggie Gibbs – 9:58.96, 3^rd Thobile Amon – 10:03.18).

Bernal, competing in his second ever 3000m indoor event with the Orange and Blue, clocked in an indoor-best 8:21.96 and posted his first career victory in the event. Bernal coasted by Adams State's Dayton Brown (8:27.96).

Titus Cheruiyot didn't finish far behind Bernal, placing third with a time of 8:30.71.

Kenneth Talavera clocked in a personal-best 1:50.00 in the 800-meter race. His previous best was 1:52.86 at last season's C-USA Championships. Talavera's time tops teammates Yusuf Mohamud's time (1:51.16), who ranked no. 1 heading into the weekend.

Carshaylah Harrison keeps improving her time in the 400-meter dash as the senior sprinter clocked in a 57.78 and finished sixth. Her previous best was 58.41 at the MLK, while prior to that her best was a 59.10 at the TTU Corky Classic. Coming into the season, her best was a 59.65 at the 2022 Don Kirby Open & Elite.

Julio Pacheco competed in his first ever 400-meter event, clocking in a 47.88. His time would rank in the top five in Conference USA.

Stephen Carreto posted a PR in the 400m unseeded, recording a 49.04. His previous best was a 49.93.

Jalen Cadet leaped a personal-best 1.97 meters (6-5.5) in the high jump. His previous best was a 1.85m (6-0.75) a few weeks ago.

Jakub Belik returned to action from an injury, competing in his first event of the season. Belik posted a 2.02m (6-7.5) leap in the high jump.

Local sprinter Mathew Polk (Chapin High School) registered a personal-best 21.87 in the 200-meter dash unseeded. His previous best was 22.02 at the MLK Invite a few weeks ago.

Abdulraof Rashid improved on his time in the 200-meter dash seeded, as the freshman clocked in a personal-best 21.47. His previous best was a 21.72 at the MLK Invite a few weeks ago.

Niesha Burger clocked in a 23.36 in the 200-meter dash.

Denae McFarlane turned in a personal-best 23.94 in the 200-meter dash unseeded. Her previous best was 24.45 at the MLK on Jan. 21. McFarlane finished 10^th out of 97 competitors.

Marisa Simpson clocked in a personal-best 24.09 in the 200-meter dash unseeded. Simpson's previous best was a 24.21 at the MLK on Jan. 21. Simpson placed 12^th out of 97 competitors.

Saturday's events will start at 9:30 a.m. and will conclude around 3:30 p.m.

LIVE RESULTS: http://www.liverunningresults.com/events/2023unmclassic/
STREAM: FloTrack
SCHEDULE: https://bit.ly/3wRdKTy

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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