Men's Track and Field wins fourth-consecutive DMR at Big 12 Indoor Championships
COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- No. 7 Texas claimed its fourth-consecutive conference distance medley relay championship and the Longhorns scored 22 points to sit in third place after the first day of the Big 12 Indoor Track & Field Championships in College Station. The DMR set a meet record to earn 10 points, while the Horns earned eight points in the pole vault, three points in the 5,000 meters and one point in the long jump. Texas also qualified nine athletes for finals on Saturday. "We knew coming in that it was going to be a tough competition," head coach Bubba Thornton said. "Our guys took care of what they needed to take care of today and we also had some unexpected performances that should really help our team score. We're in position to make a run at this and I'm looking forward to seeing if we can do it tomorrow." The DMR of seniors Jacob Hernandez, Tevan Everett and Jake Morse and sophomore Danzell Fortson used a 9:42.18 to better the previous meet record of 9:43.66, which was also held by the Horns. Hernandez ran the lead leg (1,200m), followed by Fortson in the 400m, Everett in the 800m and Morse on the mile anchor. UT bettered the rest of the field by over five seconds. In addition to the DMR's 10 points, UT earned three points in the 5,000-meter run behind junior Victor Gras' sixth-place finish (14:18.49). In the field events, sophomore Maston Wallace placed third after clearing at 5.37m (17-7.25) to score six points, while junior Will Paine finished seventh with a mark of 5.00m (16-4.75) to secure two points. Freshman Doug Moppert added a point in the long jump with a career-best 7.56m (24-9.75). Texas also performed well in the prelims of the middle distances. Senior Tevan Everett posted his second school record of the season by posting a 1:08.51 in qualifying first in the 600-yard run. He bettered Ali Clabiorne's previous mark of 1:09.17, which was set at the 1998 Big 12 indoor meet. The mark came two weeks after Everett set the school record in the 800 meters (1:47.82) at the Husky Classic in Seattle, Wash. Junior Tevas Everett qualified third in the 600 yards with a 1:10.61. The Horns also advanced two in the 800 meters behind Hernandez and senior Mike Carmody. Hernandez won his heat with a 1:52.13, while Carmody secured the final qualifying spot with a 1:52.38. In addition, UT runners posted the three fastest qualifying times in the 1,000 meters. Sophomore Logan Gonzalez led the group with a 2:24.88, while senior Kyle Miller had the second-fastest time at 2:25.41. Freshman Patrick Todd, who set the facility record of 2:23.38 earlier this season, also advanced with a 2:25.52. Prior to anchoring the DMR to victory, Morse posted the third-fastest qualifying time in the mile with a 4:06.83. Senior Elliot O'Hare and Fortson rounded out the individual qualifiers. O'Hare posted the second-fastest time in the 60-meter hurdles with a personal-best 7.88, while Fortson claimed the final qualifying spot in the 400 meters with a 47.49. Texas will return to the track on Saturday, Feb. 28 at 3 p.m. (Central). To follow the action, visit TexasSports.com or Big12Sports.com. Day One Results 60 Meters (Prelims) 200 Meters (Prelims) 400 Meters (Prelims) 600 Yards (Prelims) 800 Meters (Prelims) 1,000 Meters (Prelims) Mile (Prelims) 5,000 Meters (Finals) 60-Meter Hurdles (Prelims) Distance Medley Relay (Finals) Pole Vault (Finals) Long Jump (Finals) Heptathlon (First Four Events) 60 Meters (Hep.) Long Jump (Hep.) Shot Put (Hep.) High Jump (Hep.)
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