Texas A&M - Kingsville Athletics

Leo Garcia

Men's Track and Field 3/24/2023 11:22:00 PM Ryan Smith, Athletic Communications Coordinator

Nieto, Fountain place first on Day One at Charles Austin Classic

Nieto was champion in the pole vault, while Fountain won his 1500m section

SAN MARCOS, Texas- The Texas A&M-Kingsville track and field program wrapped up the inaugural day of competition at the 2023 Charles Austin Classic on Friday, as sophomore Thomas Nieto and classmate Cody Fountain each placed first at the Texas State Track and Field Stadium.

Nieto won his gold in the pole vault as he led a slew of vaulters with a 5.35m (17-6.50) clearance on his third attempt at the height. Sophomore Blake Gordon and junior Reid Barba also showed out, with Gordon placing fourth at 4.75m (15-7) and Barba eighth at 4.60m (15-1), as the trio took down a wealth of NCAA Division I competitors.

Meanwhile, junior Ana Garcia collected sixth in the women's vault, thanks to a 3.07m (10-0.75) clearance among a talented field that included two-time Olympian Anicka Newell.

Fountain finished first on the track, as he clocked in at 4:02.98 in the 1500m run to beat out Koket Kimata of Texas State by two seconds, while junior Kristen Aleman and sophomore Destinee Longoria finished back-to-back in the women's competition. Aleman paced her way to a time of 5:27.35 for silver, while Longoria used a 5:29.43 to propel herself toward bronze.

A trio of throwers also found success, as junior Katryna Hernandez launched the implement 50.03m (164-1) in the hammer throw to collect an eight-place finish. Senior Stephen Cardenas and sophomore Paxton Hair later performed well in the men's iteration, as Cardenas reached 57.41m (188-4) for fourth, while Hair measured at 49.13m (161-2) in ninth.

The competition will continue Saturday at 10 a.m. with the discus before track events get going at 2 p.m. with the 4x100m relay.

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

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