Men Place Second, Women Finish Third at Island Relays

FREEPORT, BAHAMAS – Arizona Track and Field finished day two of the Island Relays on Saturday in an impressive manner. The day was filled with a flurry of top-three individual finishes and performances, capped off by the men’s team placing second overall and the women’s team finishing third.

“We came here for an experience but also to be able to get some performances in,” said Head Coach Fred Harvey. “We had some really super performances. That day one we had yesterday in the throws was really, really exciting. I’m so proud of what we were able to do here as a group. We came together and performed at a super high level and that was really nice to see. We want to continue to grow from that.”

 

FIELD HIGHLIGHTS

The Wildcats swept the podium in the women’s high jump. Alexa Porpaczy and Talie Bonds tied for first place after they both cleared 1.79m (5-10.5). Additionally, freshman Emma Gates finished third with a clearance of 1.70m (5-7).

 

Reinaldo Rodrigues had a big day for the Wildcats, winning the men’s long jump. His best leap of the day was 7.56m (24-9.75).

 

In the men’s shot put, Youssef Koudssi finished runner-up with an outdoor PR throw of 18.89m (61-11.75). Zach Landa also placed fourth for the Wildcats with an outdoor PR heave of 18.17m (59-7.25). Then in the men’s discus, the two finished first and second with big personal best throws. Koudssi won the event with a heave of 55.18m (181-0), and Landa placed second with a toss of 52.56m (172-5).

 

In the first field event of the day, the women’s shot put, Mackenna Orie placed third overall and Tapenisa Havea finished fourth. Orie’s best throw on the day was 16.08m (52-9), and Havea’s best was 16.01m (52-6.25). Later on in the women’s discus throw, Orie had a toss of 47.66m (156-4) to place fourth, and Havea had a heave of 46.69m (153-2) to finish fifth.

 

In the women’s long jump, Jenica Bosko finished second overall with a near personal best leap of 6.09m (19-11.75). Additionally, Lauryn Ford placed fourth with a PR jump of 5.90m (19-4.25) and Neysia Howard finished fifth with a mark of 5.85m (19-2.25). Hollan Powers posted a new outdoor personal best in the event as well.

 

Taylen Wise finished the highest for the Wildcats in the women’s triple jump, placing fourth overall with a leap of 12.30m (40-4.25). Additionally, Rylee…