The University of Arizona track and field program enjoyed a record-breaking weekend on multiple fronts.
At the Millrose Games in New York on Saturday, volunteer assistant coach Bernard Lagat set the American record in the 5,000 meters and sophomore Lawi Lalang set the 5K collegiate and UA school record. Lagat had a winning time of 13:07.15, replacing the previous U.S. record held by Galen Rupp (13:11.44). Lalang came in second, clocking a time of 13:08.28, beating Rupp's collegiate record of 13:18.12. Senior Stephen Sambu came in third and clocked the No. 2 collegiate time ever (13:13.74). Lalang and Sambu both automatically qualified for the NCAA Indoor Championships in the event, as they currently rank No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, in the NCAA.
At the USA Track and Field Classic in Fayetteville, Ark., volunteer assistant coach Jill Camarena-Williams set the American record in the shot put, throwing 65-3.25 (19.89m). Her mark is a personal best, a meet record and a Randal Tyson Track Center facility record. Camarena-Williams beat her own U.S. record of 65-2.25 (19.87m), set in Albuquerque, N.M. on Feb. 27, 2011.
At the Boise State Team Challenge, junior Edgar Rivera-Morales punched his ticket to the NCAA Indoor Championships, automatically qualifying in the high jump after clearing 7-4.25 (2.24m). His mark is a personal-best clearance and is currently tied for the fourth-best mark in the country.
Earlier in the season, Lalang also punched his ticket to the championships in the mile clocking the NCAA’s No. 1 time this season and No. 3 mark all-time (3:55.09) while Sambu is also qualified for the 3,000 meters where his time of 7:51.59 currently ranks No. 10 among collegians this season.
Junior Nick Ross has also qualified in the high jump. He matched the heptathlon high jump world record when he cleared 7-4.25 at the Razorback Invitational. His jump is currently tied for No. 4 in the NCAA with Rivera-Morales and two other competitors.
On the women’s side, junior Brigetta Barrett continues to hold the NCAA’s top mark in the high jump with her personal-best clearance of 6-5.5, also the Arizona school record. Junior Julie Labonté will be competing at the championships in the shot put. Her season-best toss of 59-1.25 is a personal best and school record.
