March 5, 2005

LONG BEACH, Calif. - UNLV senior distance runner Michele Suszek broke her own school record in the 3,000 meter steeplechase Saturday afternoon as the Rebels opened their 2005 outdoor track and field season at the Long Beach Relays.

The senior from Alpena, Mich., crushed her school record she set last year by nearly 14 seconds, motoring around the track in a time of 10:49.52. Suszek's old record was 11:03.28 which she set last year at the MT Sac Relays on Aril 17, 2004. Suszek's time Saturday met the NCAA Regional qualifying mark. Suszek also finished third in the 1,500 meters with a time of 4:43.63.

Halima Decree lead a trio of Rebel sprinters that finished 1-2-3 in the 100 meters, as the senior sprinter won the event with a time of 11.39. Brittney Bullocks took second with a time of 12.21 and Tanesha Carr finished third with a time of 12.53.

Katie Hughes and Sarah Loughlin both set personal bests in the 5,000 meters, as Hughes came in fifth with a time of 19:27.71 and Loughlin was right behind in sixth at 19:48.73.

Miesha McClendon crossed the line in fourth place in the 100 meter hurdles with a time of 15.09, Kenya Pollee took fifth in the long jump with a mark of 17'-0.00" and Alayna Mills finished fifth in the hammer throw with a toss of 140'-9.00", rounding out Rebels in the top five Saturday.

UNLV also had five relay teams finish in the top five - the 4x100 (3rd, 46.80), 4x200 (2nd, 1:38.84), 4x400 (3rd, 3:53.68), 4x800 (4th, 10:16.86) and 800 spring medley (3rd, 1:51.41).

Full results may be found by clicking here.