Courtesy of UCR Athletics
Courtesy of UCR Athletics

UC Riverside’s men’s and women’s track team traveled to Arizona State’s Sun Angel Classic last Friday to compete against some of the best track athletes in the nation.

Arizona, known for its warm climate, did not disappoint, recording temperatures in the upper 80s throughout the day and remained in the 80s into the evening.

Two Highlander athletes broke school records while a number of them grabbed top-five finishes.

Mid-distance sprinter Michael Koger broke his own school record in the 400-meter with a time of 51.20 seconds, which was .12 seconds faster than his record from March 30, 2013.

Thrower Breanna Johnson broke Evangela Dixon’s 10-year-old school record in the shot-put, with a 15.88m (52’ 1.25”) throw. It was the fourth-oldest record in the school history.

On the men’s side, the 4×400 relay team consisting of Justin Parker, Zach Lewis, Michael Pare and Koger, crossed the finish line in second place with a season’s best 3:12.79.

There were several top-five finishes as well. On the track, Parker placed fourth in the 400 with a time of 47.46. In the field, Chima Ikeme placed third in the open discus event with a throw of 51.89m (170’ 3”). Craig Mauldin placed fifth in the triple jump with 14.76m (48’ 5.25”).

The women’s team found more success as they recorded nine top-five finishes.

Camille Deadwiler placed second in the 100 with 12.18. Danielle Littleton placed third in the long jump premiere with 6.03m (19’ 9.50”). Asha Giles placed third in the 200 with 24.50. Raquel Hefflin placed third as well in the 800 with 2:06.10.

The women’s 4×400 relay team of Amber Wright, Giles, Hefflin and Noelle Abboud placed third with a time of 3:41.89. Noelle Abboud also placed fifth in the 400 with 56.20. Jasmine Harper snagged fourth place in the 400 hurdles with 1:03.51. Finally, Rachel Tice placed fourth in the shotput with a 14.16m (46’ 5.50”) throw.

The track and field teams next compete at the Mt. SAC Relays in Walnut, Calif.