March 15, 2017
Spring Invitational Schedule | Meet Program | Heat Sheets
LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV track & field program kicks off its 2017 outdoor season with its own Spring Invitational/Sheila Tarr-Smith Multis this weekend with the majority of the meet taking place Saturday.
The three-day meet, which will be contested at Myron Partridge Stadium & Sheila Tarr-Smith Field, begins Thursday at 11:00 am with the men's decathlon, followed by the women's heptathlon at noon. The two events carry through Friday.
Additionally, the men's and women's hammer throw will conclude Friday's session at 3:00 pm after the men's javelin at 1:45 pm.
UNLV welcomes BYU, Dixie State, Fresno State, Idaho State, Illinois, Northern Colorado, San Jose State, Southern Utah, UC Davis, Utah Valley, Cerritos College and other track clubs to this weekend's meet.
"It's always great starting the outdoor season on our home facility," said head coach Yvonne Wade. "This competition is growing every year and more and more athletes want to come to our beautiful city for the great weather and even greater early season competition. It's going to be a great event and a great opportunity for our athletes to set the tone for the rest of the outdoor season."
Stella Clemens, who racked up 3,787 points in the pentathlon during indoor season, will compete in the two-day heptathlon. Vanessa Sierra and Gabby Whetstone will also represent the Scarlet & Gray Friday in the hammer throw.
Saturday's action starts bright and early at 7:30 am with the men's and women's 10k. At 9:00 am, the women's shot put opens up the schedule for the field events, while the women's 5000m (section 2) continues the track portion. The meet will conclude with the women's 4x400m relay (3:15 pm) and men's 4x400m relay (3:30 pm).
Some Rebels to watch this weekend are Kaysee Pilgrim (high jump), Taylor Pegram (100m hurdles). Mandy Chitwood (400m) and Spencer Moore will both run in the 800m and 5000m.
Destiny Smith-Barnett, who competed at the NCAA Indoor Championships finishing 14th overall in the 60m (7.35), will return to action competing in the 4x100 relay team. Smith-Barnett will partner with Kaysha Love, Najia Hudspeth and Austin for the 4x100m relay.
UNLV is fresh off a second-place finish at the Mountain West Indoor Championships, which saw Austin, Nylia Hudspeth, Coquia and Najia Hudspeth secure a season-best time of 3:42.52 in the 4x400m relay. The relay comprised of Austin, the Hudspeth twins and Coquia earned All-MW Indoor Team recognition.
