The University of Houston Track & Field program closed out its regular outdoor season before the Big 12 Outdoor Championship with a meet record by graduate Sydni Townsend, along with 19 total podiums and eight recorded personal bests by the Cougars at the Tom Tellez Invitational on Friday.

RUNNING EVENTS
Graduate Kelly-Ann Beckford opened the running events as she won the women's 1,500-meter at 4:34.27. This marks Beckford's second victory in the event this season.

In the men's 110-meter hurdles, senior Jamar Marshall Jr. finished second and was the top collegiate finisher with a time of 13.93. Right behind Marshall Jr. was freshman Jairius Burton, coming in at third with a time of 14.07.

Graduate MiKenna Robinson earned third place in the 400-meter race, with a time of 56.34, and her first outdoor 400-meter race.

In the women's 400-meter hurdles, Townsend set a meet record time of 56.13. Townsend now ranks No. 6 in the nation with this mark.

Senior Zosia Bulhak finished second in the 5,000-meter with a time of 18:19.58. Senior Daniela Castillo finished third overall, crossing the line at 18:37.23 in the same event.

In the final race of the evening, freshman Michael Archie finished second in the men's 5,000-meter with a time of 15:21.08.

FIELD EVENTS
Graduate Izac Canchola placed second in the men's javelin with his throw of 59.35 (194'-8) meters.

Sophomore Zaeda Houff won her first event this season as she placed first in the hammer throw with her best throw of 52.24 (171'-4) meters. Freshman Paris Kimble finished right behind with her second-place throw of 47.07 (154'-5) meters.

Senior Caleb Malbrough leaped to third in the men's long jump with 7.38 (24'-2.5) meters.

The men's triple jump saw another Cougar 1-2 finish, with senior David Ajama finishing first with a leap of 15.85 (52') meters, followed by junior Kevin Snyder in second with his leap of 14.77 (48'-5.5).

Sophomore Aubrey Tupper finished tied for first in the women's pole vault with her clearance of 3.80 (12'-5.5) meters. Freshman Laney Kucera grabbed third in the women's pole vault with her height of 3.50 (11'-5.75) meters.

In the men's high jump, junior My'Kell Beck jumped to second place with his clearance of 2.05 (6'-8.75) meters.

Graduate Lusekelo Mwamukonda won the men's discus throw with his toss of 53.29 (174'-10) meters. Freshman Cordell Nwokeji finished second in the discus throw with a personal-best throw of 52.19 (171'-2) meters.

Nwokeji also posted a first-place finish in the shot put with his throw of 18.71 (61'-4.75) meters.

WELCOME HOME, JAYDEN
On Tuesday, Houston Track and Field signed its newest member, Jayden Iweajunwa, as part of Team IMPACT. The organization matches children with serious illnesses or disabilities with college sports teams, creating a long-term, life-changing experience for everyone involved. The team also celebrated Jayden's 11th birthday with a special in-meet recognition alongside his friends and family.

UP NEXT
Houston Track and Field will travel to Waco, Texas, for its first Big 12 Outdoor Championships, hosted by Baylor at Clyde Hart Track and Field Stadium, May 9-11.