Malone and Akpan lead the way at Texas Relays

Malone and Akpan lead the way at Texas RelaysMalone and Akpan lead the way at Texas Relays

AUSTIN, Texas – Senior Madi Malone and freshman Abasiono Akpan led the way on day one of the Texas Relays with event wins in the women's hammer throw and 400m hurdles timed finals at Mike Myers Stadium.

Malone won the women's hammer throw on her second attempt launching one out 68.45m/224-7, not far off her national leading mark 69.66m/228-6 from a week ago. At this meet last year, the Wichita, Kan. native broke her pervious school record throwing 67.98m/223-0.

In her third outdoor race of the season, Akpan dominated the 400m hurdles timed final section. The Nigerian native improved her personal-best by a whole second crossing the line in 58.85 for the win.

Junior Ryan Kinnane ran a huge personal best in the men's 5,000m clocking 14:05.99 to take second in his season debut. Kinnane's previous best was 14:12.49 set at the Joe Walker Invitational almost a year ago. Fellow junior Carson Bedics ran a strong race crossing the line in 14:35.35 for seventh overall.

Distance squad of sophomore Hallie Porterfield and Louis O'Loughlin, and freshman Gene Coetzee had solid outings in the 1500m. Porterfield finished fourth in section B crossing the line in 4:30.97 while Coetzee's 4:28.24 was good for eighth place in section A. On the men's side, O'Loughlin recorded a season-best 3:49.58.

Day 2 of the Texas Relays continue Friday beginning at 9:55 a.m. CT with the women's 4x100m relay. The men's DMR will signal the conclusion of the day for the Tigers at 6:00 p.m. CT.


CLYDE LITTLEFIELD TEXAS RELAYS
Mike A. Myers Stadium
Austin, Texas
March 29-April 1, 2023


Women's results

400m Hurdles Timed Finals
1. Abasiono Akpan 58.85*

1500m Section A
8. Gene Coetzee 4:28.24

1500m Section B
4. Hallie Porterfield 4:30.97

Hammer Throw
1. Madi Malone 68.45m/224-7

Javelin Throw Section B
7. Shaniya Holley 45.19m/148-3


Men's Results

400m Hurdles 1st Round
DNF. Mo Mpoke

1500m Section A
7. Louis O'Loughlin 3:49.68

5,000m
2. Ryan Kinanne 14:05.99*
7. Carson Bedics 14:35.35
19. Joseph Perry 15:24.15
DNS. Hayden Judge

Hammer Throw
11. Erik Ebel 67.00m/219-10
12. Kyle Brown 66.65m/218-8
16. Kyle Moison 65.19m/213-10


* - personal best