KINGSVILLE, Texas — The Texas A&M-Kingsville track and field program will host its 15th Annual Cactus Cup on Saturday, with eight programs joining the Javelinas at Pepsi Field in Javelina Stadium. Field events will begin at noon with the men's javelin and women's hammer throw, while running events are slated for 5:30 p.m.
 
Among the programs in attendance are five NCAA Division I schools in the form of Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Texas Southern, UIW, UTSA, and UTRGV. Our Lady of the Lake comes to Kingsville from the NAIA, and Trinity joins as the lone DIII program. Additionally, Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez will compete out of Juarez, Mexico.
 
The teams will be scored as the Javelinas look to reclaim their throne after both the men and women placed second at last year's iteration. Two program records fell at the 2022 rendition, one of which came in the hammer throw courtesy of graduate student Stephen Cardenas. He heaved the implement 55.95m (183-07) on his fifth attempt to climb atop the leaderboard, rewriting history in the process.
 
Graduate Kimberly Ortolon was the other record breaker, using a 3.75m (12-4) clearance from her second attempt to claim gold. She will be back this year to defend her title, competing unattached.
 
Junior Katryna Hernandez carries momentum into this week's meet after a stellar weekend at the Dave Noble Relays, where she tossed the hammer 51.14m (167-9) on her third try for first place. She also posted a second-place finish in the shot put, reaching 13.68m (44-10.75).
 
She wasn't the only thrower to succeed as senior Marco Arevalo claimed gold in the men's shot put, following a personal record of 17.39m (57-0.75), the 31st-best attempt in all of DII.
 
On the track, sophomore Cynai Christopher showcased her talents taking third in the 200m dash at 24.86, ahead of a 47.28 performance as a part of the 4x100m relay team with classmate Vitiana Robert, freshman Melanie Roland, and classmate Martina Stanchi, in third.
 
The Cactus Cup is expected to end around 10 p.m., with the men's and women's 4x400m relay representing the final event. 
 
Live results as well as a full recap following the meet can be found on javelinaathletics.com To keep up-to-date with Javelina track and field, follow the program on Facebook at /JavelinaSports, Twitter @JavelinaTFXC and on Instagram @JavelinaTFXC