Natalynn Mcrae

Men's Track and Field 1/20/2023 10:26:00 PM Ryan Smith, Athletic Communications Coordinator

Nieto and Scott climb national rankings at Robert Platt Invitational

Nieto now serves as the national leader in the pole vault, while Scott sits fifth in the 60 m hurdles

Houston- On Friday, sophomores Thomas Nieto and Ja'Qualon Scott used stellar performances to climb the national leader board as the Texas A&M-Kingsville track and field program took on the Robert Platt Invitational at the Yeoman Fieldhouse on the campus of Houston.

Nieto continues to reach new heights in the pole vault, with the Columbian clearing 5.31m (17-06) for the third-best measurement in school history and the NCAA Division II national lead.

Meanwhile, Scott set a new collegiate best in the 60 m hurdles, clocking in at 7.92 to claim bronze. Additionally, his time places him fourth on the national performance list, placing him in a prime position to qualify for the national championships.

Junior Reid Barba and graduate student Dean Wallace joined Nieto in the vault, with Barba claiming sixth at 4.91m (16-01.25) and Wallace seventh after reaching the same height on his third attempt.

In the women's iteration of the event, junior Ana Garcia surpassed a height of 2.81m (9-02.50) to narrowly best Maci Guy of Prairie View A&M and place ninth.

In his Blue and Gold debut, Fakhreddine Benhadja cleared 2.00m (6-06.75) on his first try, placing fourth in the men's high jump behind athletes from Lamar, Rive, and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

Graduate Student D.J. Delancy and sophomore Garrett Burns each logged strong performances in the shot put, with Delancy's toss measuring at 16.20m (53-01.75) for fourth, while Burns reached 15.03m (49-03.75) for eighth.

Over in the women's shot put, junior Katryna Hernandez heaved the shot 13.06m *42-10.25) to place ninth as the highest DII finisher.

Also finding success, graduate student Stephen Cardenas followed up his first-place finish at the Lenard Hilton Invitational with a 17.35m (56-11.25) toss in the weight throw to take fourth. Meanwhile, sophomore Paxton Hair sent the implement 15.98m (52-06.25) on his third throw to secure a spot in the finals and a ninth-place finish.

The Women's 4x400m relay team, comprised of sophomore Cynai Christopher, classmate Vitiana Robert, junior Sophia Ramirez, and freshman Amber Gonzalez, beat Houston Christian by less than a second to take sixth.

Shortly after, the men's squad featuring Scott, junior Gabriel Field, sophomore Cody Fountain, and junior Michael Samihamba wrapped up the meet with an eighth-place finish at 3:20.67.

The Javelinas will remain in the Yeoman Fieldhouse on Saturday as they compete at the Fastrak Athletix Collegiate Opener, with events slated to begin at noon.

Get the Official Javelina Athletics Mobile! Download on the App Store or Get It on Google Pay to keep up with all the news, scores, and updates of your favorite Javelinas

To keep up-to-date with Javelina track and field, follow the program on Facebook at /JavelinaSports, Twitter @JavelinaTFXC, and on Instagram @JavelinaTFXC

Print Friendly Version