RIVERSIDE, Calif. - The UCR Spring Classic Invitational wrapped up on Saturday, and the Thunderbirds wrapped up the competition with several impressive times and a number of Big Sky Conference Championship qualifying marks.
This was the second meet the Thunderbirds have competed in to start the 2016 outdoor season.
The event was team scored, and the men's squad finished second in the field. The T-Birds finished in from of Big Sky opponent Sacramento State, Summit League power North Dakota State, and several Big West schools.
The women's team finished in ninth out of the nine teams in the field.
The Thunderbirds had a fantastic performance in the 3,000-meter race, as they took the top four spots in the event. Hayden Hawks led the way, with a 8:25.85. Hawks was already the record holder at this meet and stadium entering competition.
In the women's 3,000, Ashley Hawks had the most success finishing in 10:27.98 and taking fifth place overall.
Hayden was followed by Ibrahim Ahmed (8:25.93), Kasey Knevelbaard (8:32.38) and Shinano Miyazawa (8:37.93).
Freshman Skyler Porcaro won the men's javelin event, with a throw of 63.52 meters, which was a new record for the meet. The mark is also good enough to qualify him for the Big Sky Conference Championships. SUU senior Russell Nielson wasn't far behind, finishing second with a throw of 57.68, which also surpassed the BSC qualifying mark.
In the shot put Jayson Kovar threw a 16.81 in shot put, an event he is already qualified for, and freshman Cannon Brunsvik also hit a BSC mark with a 16.01.
Kovar also won the discus throw at the meet, with a throw of 55.56
In the 110-meter hurdles Devon Montgomery finished in 14.60 seconds, which is good enough to qualify him for the Big Sky Championships and is a personal best time for him.
In the men's 400-meter SUU freshman Brandan Harley ran a 48.94, which was under the BSC qualifying time.
George Espino set a qualifying time with a 1:52.82 in the 800-meter with a time of 1:52.82.
The men's 4x4 team had a successful race as well, finishing in 3:14.33 and finishing in second place overall.
The Thunderbirds have three events on the calendar for next weekend, as the team has the potential to split between the Stanford Invite, the Pomona Pitzer Invite and a meet in San Francisco.
