BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Rice Owl men and Charlotte 49ers women got off to a hot start at the 2024 edition of the American Athletic Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships, taking the lead into day two of the championships.
Rice led in the men’s competition with 47 points following the first day of competition, ahead of Tulsa in second place with 37 points and South Florida in third place with 36 points. In the women’s draw, Charlotte sat atop the leaders with 39 points to outpoint second place squad SMU with 34 points and third place team Memphis with 32.5 points.
Kobe Babin of South Floria took home the first gold medal of the championships, clearing a height of 5.03-meters in pole vault. Rice’s Matt Kumar and South Florida’s Noah Bitter tied for second place, clearing a height of 4.88 meters.
Rice’s Eliza Kraule broke the meet record in the pentathlon, scoring 4,335 total points. Wichita State’s Destiny Masters took silver with 4,140 points and SMU’s Olivia Dobson earned bronze with 4,040 points. Masters began the meet by setting a new meet record in the 60-meter hurdles, finishing with a time of 8.40 seconds. She followed up by setting a meet record in the high jump, clearing 1.82 meters (5’11.5”). Eliza Kraule set the meet record in long jump, with a distance of 6.26 meters.
Brady Palen of Wichita State earned his first gold medal in high jump, clearing a height of 2.18 meters. Rice’s Ese Amata took home second place with a clearance of 2.06 meters, while Wichita State’s Luke Czarnecki came in third place, clearing a height of 2.02 meters.
Rice’s Cal Abdulky took home the gold medal in the men’s weight throw at 21.03 meters on his first attempt of the day. Will Dibo of Memphis earned silver with a throw of 20.48 meters, while Rice’s Shaun Kerry was the bronze medalist at 20.22 meters.
A heavyweight battle ensued in the long jump as both UTSA’s Ida Breigan and SMU’s Funminiyi Olajide broke the meet record and put forth top 10 jumps nationally. Breigan took home gold at 6.58 meters, while Olajide earned silver with a jump of 6.53 meters. South Florida’s Shaniya Benjamin earned the bronze medal with a jump of 6.17 meters.
Chloe Hershenow took home the gold medal in the 5,000 meter run with a time of 16:19.84. Charlotte’s Lauren Johnston was the silver medalist with a time of 16:24.07, and Tulsa’s Tamara Reeves took home bronze with a time of 16:24.32.
Riley Felts of Charlotte broke the conference record in pole vault, clearing a height of 4.47 meters. Teammate Sarah Brown earned the silver medal with a clearance of 4.08 meters, while Tulane’s Karlijn Schouten earned 3.98 meters for the bronze medal.
In women’s weight throw, Rice’s Tara Simpson Sullivan threw a distance of 21.14 meters for the gold medal. UTSA’s Isabella Simonelli earned the silver medal with her second throw of 19.29 meters, while North Texas’ Allison Stigarll podiumed with her final throw of 19.25 meters to get the bronze medal.
Tulsa took home gold and silver in the men’s 5,000 meter run as both Malte Propp and Chris McLeod broke the old meet record. Propp took home gold with a 13:47.96, while McLeod earned silver with a 13:49.99. Charlotte’s Nickolas Scudder won the bronze medal at 13:54.45.
UTSA swept the men’s long jump. Gabriel Binion won gold with a first jump of 7.55 meters. Teammate Christiaan Le Roux won silver with a jump of 7.52 meters, while Dylan James took over bronze in his final jump with a distance of 7.44 meters.
Tulsa ended the day with a gold medal in the men’s distance medley as the team of Sean Korsmo, Evan Sanni-Thomas, Chanel Muir and Christian Baker ran a time of 9:47.07 for the gold medal. Rice’s team of Andrew Murray, Connor McGrath, Davis Thames and Elliot Metcalf earned silver with a time of 9:53.47, while Charlotte took home bronze using the team of Bryce Anderson, Jayden Phillip, Gunner Hogston and Alec Esposito.
SMU’s team of Faustine Chaboche, K’Nyan Isaac, Macey Hilton and Leoni Mierswa won the gold medal for the women’s distance medley with a time of 11:34.87. Tulsa, composed of Sarah Hosey, Lianne Holtermann, Billie Rouse, and Katharina Pesendorfer earned gold with a time of 11:38.43. Rice’s team of Alisa Meraz-Fishbein, Arayna Mickles, Ava White and Amelie Attenborough took home the bronze medal.
In the women’s mile, Katharina Pesendorfer of Tulsa and Taigen Hunter-Galvan of Rice tied for the top time with 4:57.11. Charlotte’s Natalia Martin ran a 4:57.43 for the third best time in the mile.
For the men’s mile, Rice’s Andrew Murray took home the top qualifying time, running a 4:06.16. Charlotte’s Bryce Anderson ran a 4:06.24 for the second-best time, while Tulsa’s Jaden Forester finished with the third best qualifying time at 4:06.36.
Tulsa’s Elizabeth Roca finished with the top time in the 400 meter dash at 53.97 seconds. South Florida’s Zaharia Allers-Liburd tied with the top time at 53.97 seconds, while teammate Je’Nyia Burton was third with 54.73 seconds.
The South Florida trio of Shevioe Reid (47.08), Tre’Sean Bouie (47.27) and Nathan Metelus (47.70) ran the top three times in the men’s 400 meter dash.
In the women’s 60-meter hurdles, Memphis’ Madison Fleming earned the top qualifying time at 8.30 seconds, while East Carolina’s Sydni McMillan (8.41 seconds) and UTSA’s Ayumi Kobayashi (8.51 seconds) finished with the second and third best times.
South Florida’s Markel Jones ran a 7.89 in the men’s 60-meter hurdles to be the top qualifier. East Carolina’s Terence Booth was just behind at 7.90 for second, while Jaden Jenkins had the third best time at 7.92 seconds.
Melicia Mouzzon of East Carolina ran a person bes 7.28 in the 60-meter dash to run the top time in the event. Rice’s Kennedy Gamble had the second best time at 7.40, while Thennelle Williams of UTSA clocked the third best time at 7.45 seconds.
South Florida Saminu Abdul-Rasheed tied the meet record in the men’s 60-meter dash at 6.57 seconds. Teammates Jaleel Croal (6.68 seconds) and Zayquan Lincoln (6.73 seconds) earned the second and third top qualifying times.
In the women’s 800-meter run, Tulane’s Janae Dean earned the top seed with a 2:10.52. Rice’s Taigen Hunter-Galvan ran a 2:13.07 for the second seed, and Farah Miller of Wichita State earned the third seed with a 2:10.76.
On the men’s side, South Florida’s Gabriel Moronta earned the top seed in the 800-meter run at 1:53.88. Wichita State’s Jacob Meyers earned the second seed at 1:53.93, while Charlottes Maddon Muhammad will be the third seed in tomorrow’s final at 1:53.95.
Ta-Halia Fairman of Charlotte ran the fastest qualifying time in the 200-meter dash with a time of 23.30, narrowly besting teammate Joyasia Smith, who ran the second fastest time at 23.32. Mouzzon of East Carolina will be the three seed in the finals with a time of 23.47 seconds.
South Florida teammates Shevioe Reid (21.07) and Jaleel Croal (21.17) earned the top two seed in for the men’s 200-meter dash final, while UTSA’s Brice Chabot will be the third seed after running a 21.17.
In the men’s heptathlon, Rice’s Vincent Aroussel is leading the field after winning two of the four events. Through day one, Aroussel has 3,174 points. Adria Navajon of Wichita State is in second place with 3,083 points, while teammate Hudson Bailey is in third place with 2,844 points.
The 2024 American Athletic Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships will continue tomorrow, February 24 with events beginning at 9:15 a.m. Central, starting with the conclusion of the men’s heptathlon.
2024 American Athletic Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships
Men’s Teams Scores (through day one)
1. Rice – 47
2. Tulsa – 37
3. South Florida – 36
4. Wichita State – 32
5. UTSA – 26
6. Charlotte – 23.5
7. Memphis – 17
8. North Texas – 11.5
9. East Carolina – 4
Women’s Teams Scores (through day one)
1. Charlotte – 39
2. SMU – 34
3. Rice – 32.5
4. Tulsa – 27
5. Wichita State – 19
6. UTSA – 18
7. South Florida – 17
8. Tulane – 16
9. East Carolina – 10
10. Memphis – 6
North Texas – 6
12. Temple – 4.5
13. Florida Atlantic – 3
14. UAB – 2
2024 American Athletic Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships
CHAMPIONSHIPS SCHEDULE
Friday, February 23 (ESPN+) |
Women’s Pentathlon – Eliza Kraule, Rice, 4,335 points *Meet Record*
9:00 a.m. W-Pentathlon 60m Hurdles – Destiny Masters, Wichita State, 8.40 *Meet Record*
9:45 a.m. W-Pentathlon High Jump – Destiny Masters, Wichita State, 1.82m *Meet Record*
11:30 a.m. W-Pentathlon Shot Put – Olivia Dobson, SMU, 14.08m
12:45 p.m. W-Pentathlon Long Jump – Eliza Kraule, Rice, 6.26m *Meet Record*
2:00 p.m. W-Pentathlon 800m Run – Sadie Millard, Wichita State, 2:22.18
Men’s Heptathlon – Vincent Arousell, Rice, 3,174 (after one day)
11:00 a.m. M-Heptathlon 60m Dash – Adria Navajon, Wichita State, 6.92
11:45 a.m. M-Heptathlon Long Jump – Adria Navajon, Wichita State, 7.28m
1:00 p.m. M-Heptathlon Shot Put – Vincent Arousell, Rice, 13.78m
3:20 p.m. M-Heptathlon High Jump – Vincent Arousell, Rice, 2.01m
Field Events
12:00 p.m. High Jump – Men’s Trials & FINAL – Brady Palen, Wichita State, 2.18m
12:00 p.m. Pole Vault – Men’s Trials & FINAL – Kobe Babin, South Florida, 5.03m
2:00 p.m. Long Jump – Women’s Trials & FINAL – Ida Breigan, UTSA, 6.58m *Meet Record*
2:15 p.m. Weight Throw – Men’s Trials & FINAL – Cal Abdulky, Rice, 21.03m
3:30 p.m. Pole Vault – Women’s Trials & FINAL – Riley Felts, Charlotte, 4.47m *Meet Record*
4:00 p.m. Long Jump – Men’s Trials & FINAL – Gabriel Binion, UTSA, 7.55m
4:15 p.. Weight Throw – Women’s Trials & FINAL – Tara SImpson-Sullivan, Rice, 21.14m
Track Events
1:05 p.m.Mile Run – Women’s Trials – Top Qualifier: Taigen Hunter-Galvan, Rice, 4:57.11
1:20 p.m. Mile Run – Men’s Trials – Top Qualifier: Andrew Murray, Rice, 4:06.16
1:35 p.m. 400m Dash – Women’s Trials – Top Qualifier: Elizabeth Roca, Rice, 53.97
1:50 p.m. 400m Dash – Men’s Trials – Top Qualifier: Shevioe Reid, South Florida, 47.08
2:05 p.m. 60m Hurdles – Women’s Trials – Top Qualifier: Madison Fleming, Memphis, 8.30
2:15 p.m. 60m Hurdles – Men’s Trials – Top Qualifier: Markel Jones, South Florida, 7.89
2:25 p.m. 60m Dash – Women’s Trials – Top Qualifier: Melicia Mouzzon, East Carolina, 7.28
2:35 p.m. 60m Dash – Men’s Trials – Top Qualifier: Saminu Abdul-Rasheed, South Florida, 6.57 *Meet Record*
2:50 p.m. 800m Dash – Women’s Trials – Top Qualifer: Janae Dean, Rulane, 2:10.52
3:05 p.m. 800m Dash – Men’s Trials – Top Qualifier:Gabriel Moronta, South Florida, 1:53.88
3:20 p.m. 200m Dash – Women’s Trials – Top Qualifier: Ta-Halia Fairman, Charlotte, 23.30
3:40 p.m. 200m Dash – Men’s Trials – Top Qualifier: Shevioe Reid, South Florida, 21.07
4:35 p.m. 5,000m Run Seeded – Women’s FINAL – Chloe Hershenow, Tulsa, 16:19.24
5:00 p.m. 5,000m Run Seeded – Men’s FINAL – Malte Propp, Tulsa, 13:47.96 *Meet Record*
5:20 p.m. Distance Medley Relay – Women’s FINAL – SMU, 11:34.87
5:40 p.m. Distance Medley Relay – Men’s FINAL – Tulsa, 9:47.07
Saturday, February 24 (ESPN+)
Men’s Heptathlon
9:15 a.m. M-Heptathlon 60m Hurdles
10:45 a.m. M-Heptathlon Pole Vault
2:20 p.m. M-Heptathlon 1000m Run
Field Events
10:30 a.m. High Jump – Women’s Trials & FINAL
10:45 a.m. Shot Put – Men’s Trials & FINAL
11:45 a.m. Triple Jump – Women’s Trials & FINAL (pit A)
1:15 p.m. Shot Put – Women’s Trials & FINAL
1:45 p.m. Triple Jump – Men’s Trials & FINAL (pit B)
Track Events
12:05 p.m. Mile Run – Women’s FINAL
12:15 p.m. Mile Run – Men’s FINAL
12:25 p.m. 400m Dash – Women’s (2-section final)
12:35 p.m. 400m Dash – Men’s (2-section final)
12:45 p.m. 60m Hudles – Women’s FINAL
12:55 p.m. 60m Hurdles – Men’s FINAL
1:05 p.m. 60m Dash – Women’s FINAL
1:15 p.m. 60m Dash – Men’s FINAL
1:25 p.m. 800m Run – Women’s FINAL
1:35 p.m. 800m Run – Men’s FINAL
1:45 p.m. 200m Dash – Women’s (2-section final)
1:55 p.m. 200m Dash – Men’s (2-section final)
2:05 p.m. 3,000m Run Unseeded – Women’s
2:20 p.m. 3,000m Run Unseeded – Men’s
2:30 p.m. 3,000m Run Unseeded – Women’s
2:45 p.m. 3,000m Run Unseeded – Men’s
2:55 p.m. 3,000m Run Seeded – Women’s FINAL
3:10 p.m. 3,000m Run Seeded – Men’s FINAL
3:25 p.m. 4x400m Relay – Women’s FINAL
3:35 p.m. 4×400 Relay – Men’s FINAL
3:50 p.m. AWARDS CEREMONY
