FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (UNLVRebels.com) – The UNLV track & field team collected five victories and a total of 15 top-eight finishes amongst 18 other teams at the Friday Night Axe 'Em Open hosted by Northern Arizona University at the J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome.
Natalia Ruiz Lara was the most decorated Rebel Friday night, claiming victories in the mile with a 5:09.06 and the 3000m with a 10:41.56. Cassidy Osborne-Butler won the weight throw with 62-07.95 (19.14m), Amari Prude came out on top in the 500m (1:21.80) and rounding out the individual winners on track was AnnaKay Maitland in the 150m (18.29).
UNLV had two second-place ties in their respective events, Erin Thompson in high jump 5-01.15 (1.57m) and AnnaKay Maitland in the 60m (7.65). Emma Wahlenmaier also took second in the 600m (1:32.29).
The Scarlet & Gray collected seven other top-eight finishes, Isabella Schrader claimed eighth in the mile (5:48.77), Madelyn Wattles earned seventh in the weight throw 46-04.56 (14.16m), Kennedi Porter took third in the 500m (1:27.45), followed closely by Jasmine Perez who finished fifth in the mile (1:32.24). Elisa Rovere claimed fifth in the 600m (1:35.57), Mackenzie Moss placed fourth in the 3000m (11:52.07) and Morgan Aittama took sixth in the 3000m (13:12.31).
QUOTEABLE: "Today was a good day. We were able to get some solid wins with athletes that had never competed in an indoor track meet prior to today. AnnaKay came to us from Jamaica and indoor track seasons don't exist there, but she came out to her first ever indoor meet and claimed victory. I'm proud of what this team did today, it's been tough trying to navigate COVID and having athletes not being able to compete because of it. We know what we need to work on going into the rest of the season, I think today was a great start and I'm excited to get back and get to work." - Dorian Scott, Head Coach for Track & Field and Cross Country.Â
NEXT TIME OUT:Â The Rebels will continue their 2022 indoor season campaign when they hit the road for the University of New Mexico Team Open held at the Great Friends of University of New Mexico Track Stadium Saturday, January 29.
-UNLV-
