Wildcats Set New Personal Bests and Records on Senior Night

TUCSON, Ariz. – Arizona Track & Field wrapped up their last full team, regular season meet of the outdoor season, the Desert Heat Classic, on Saturday at Drachman Stadium. The meet featured some of the top ranked teams in the nation including Oregon, Tennessee, Alabama, Baylor, Iowa, Northern Arizona, and more.
 
The competition served as senior night for 12 Wildcats: Ava David, Lauryn Ford, Joseph Green, Logan Hasher, Tanner Kippes, Pierce LaCoste, Presley Money, Athena Montgomery, Jared O'Riley, Rylee Perkins, Jacob Samford, and Trayvion White-Austin.
 
"The 2024 edition of the Desert Heat Classic definitely proved to be one of the best competitions in the country this year," said Head Coach Fred Harvey. "It's really nice to be able to have these high-level schools come in prior to our conference championships because that's the type of competition we're going to see in Colorado for the Pac-12 Championships. I'm really pleased where we're at. We're fast, strong, powerful, and healthy heading into the conference championships."
 
TOP-THREE FINISHES
Sydnie Vanek – First, Women's Long Jump, 21-5.5 (6.54m)
Emma Gates – Second, Women's High Jump, 6-0 (1.83m)
Sam Hala'ufia – Second, Men's Discus, 188-0 (57.32m)
Sir Jonathan Sims – Second, Men's Triple Jump 49-6.25 (15.09m)
Tyson Tippett, Trayvion White-Austin, Brian Limage, James Onanubosi – Second, Men's 4x100m, 39.19
Jared O'Riley – Third, Men's Javelin, 228-10 (69.75m)
 
FIELD HIGHLIGHTS
Freshman Sydnie Vanek won the women's long jump with a record-breaking personal best leap of 21-5.5 (6.54m). That mark is the best by any freshman in Arizona school history, ranks second all-time in school history, and currently leads the Pac-12, surpassing her fellow Wildcat Jenica Bosko. It's also Vanek's first win as a Wildcat. Additionally, Taylen Wise placed eighth in the event with a season best jump of 20-0.5 (6.11m).
 
Ava David started the day off strong for the Wildcats in the women's hammer throw. On senior night, the senior posted a personal best throw of 197-6 (60.21m) to place fourth overall. That mark moves David up to fourth all-time in school history in the event, as she surpasses 60m for the first time in her career.
 
In the women's high jump, Emma Gates posted a personal best clearance for the second week in a row. Gates finished runner-up in the event with a PB of 6-0 (1.83m), increasing her lead as the Pac-12 leader in the event currently. Paris Mikinski also jumped a personal record in the event, clearing a height of 5-10.75 (1.80m) to place fourth.
 
In the men's discus, Sam Hala'ufia finished runner-up with a big personal best throw of 188-0 (57.32m). He improved on his previous best in the event by almost 10 feet. Hala'ufia has now improved his personal best in the discus in all five of the competitions he's participated in this outdoor season.
 
Sir Jonathan Sims finished runner-up in the men's triple jump with a leap of 49-6.25 (15.09m).
 
Jared O'Riley placed third overall in the men's javelin with a season-best throw of 228-10 (69.75m) which came on his sixth and final throw of the competition.
 
Three Wildcats recorded career bests in the women's javelin. Freshman Aislin Martinez-Pompa recorded a personal best throw of 151-1 (46.07m) and placed fifth overall in the event. Emily Psarras and Hollan Powers were the other two Wildcats to notch PBs in the event. Psarras also placed ninth overall.
 
In the men's shot put, Tyler Michelini finished fifth with a toss of 57-11.25 (17.66m). Sam Hala'ufia placed ninth as well. In the women's shot put, Tapenisa Havea placed seventh with a toss of 49-11 (15.21m).
 
Both Amelia Stuart and Oli Clark cleared personal best heights in the women's pole vault.
 
TRACK HIGHLIGHTS
Arizona's team of Tyson Tippett, Trayvion White-Austin, Brian Limage, and James Onanubosi finished runner-up to start the day on the track in the men's 4x100m relay with a time of 39.19, just losing out to Tennessee's team at the finish line. Arizona's time was a season best and ranks sixth all-time in school history. In the women's 4x100m relay, Arizona's team of Jade Brown, McKenna Watson, Presley Money, and Ava Simms finished ninth overall with a season-best time of 44.71 which ranks seventh all-time in school history.
 
Antonia Sanchez Nunez (57.55) and Keilee Hall (58.27) placed sixth and seventh overall in the women's 400m hurdles. Hall's time is a personal best in the event. In the men's 400m hurdles, Yan Vazquez finished in sixth place with a time of 51.31.
 
In the men's 100m, Tyson Tippett finished eighth overall with a time of 10.29. James Onanubosi clocked a time of 10.34 and Trayvion White-Austin posted a time of 10.35 as well. Additionally, Sir Jonathan Sims ran a personal best time of 10.70. In the women's 100m, McKenna Watson was the top finisher for the Wildcats, clocking a time of 11.59. Seniors Lauryn Ford (11.83) and Presley Money (11.97) both ran personal best times in the event as well.
 
In the men's 1500m, Cooper Quigley and Ian Sanchez Lopez placed fifth and sixth overall, respectively. Sage Patzer ran a personal best time in the women's 1500m.
 
Camila Aguilar-Perez (54.13) and Ava Simms (54.35) finished eighth and 10th overall in the women's 400m. In the men's 400m, Jacob Samford clocked a personal record time of 46.77 to place 11th.
 
James Onanubosi clocked a time of 21.11 and Brian Limage ran a personal record time of 21.18 in the men's 200m. In the women's 200m, Jenica Bosko placed 10th overall with a time of 23.65. McKenna Watson posted a time of 23.76 in the event as well. Additionally, Zana Ryan finished with a personal best time.
 
The Arizona Women placed fourth overall in the 4x400m relay with a season-best time of 3:36.82. The team was comprised of Camila Aguilar-Perez, Keilee Hall, Antonia Sanchez Nunez, and Ava Simms.
 
The men's team of Jacob Samford, Brian Limage, Isaac Davis, and Trayvion White-Austin finished eighth in the 4x400m relay.
 
In the men's 800m, Cade Russo ran a time of 1:50.49.
 
Zachary Extine clocked a time of 14.12 in the men's 110m hurdles.
 
Adaptive Athletics competed in four events on the day as well. Additionally, the meet also included the annual "Fastest Kid in Tucson" race.
 
UP NEXT
Next up for the team is the Tucson Throws Elite Classic on Thursday, May 2 and Saturday, May 4 at Drachman Stadium. Only a select number of Wildcats will compete in field events at the competition. Championship season officially begins on May 10-12 with the Pac-12 Championships in Boulder, Colo.
 
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