TicketsLEXINGTON, Ky. - The University of Cincinnati track and field team found success on the second and final day of competition at the 2018 Kentucky Invitational Saturday inside Nutter Field House in Lexington, Ky., as the Bearcats recorded 22 personal-best marks with 11 finding their way onto the program's all-time Top 10 lists. Tiona Lattimore recorded three Top 10 times in her three races while Loretta Blaut won the high jump for UC's only win of the day to lead the charge for the team in their second meet of the collegiate season.
// LATTIMORE LETS LOOSE
Saturday, Lattimore took to the track in a trio of races as she competed in both the preliminaries and the final of the 60m dash while also racing in the 200m. First, she clocked a time of 7.52 in the prelims to not only punch her ticket to the final, but also move up to a tie for #2 all-time after shaving 0.21 off her previous best. In the final, she again turned in an improvement, this time at 7.48, to claim sole possession of the #2 ranking, placing her just behind Natasha Burse, who ran 7.40 in 2011. Later in the meet, Lattimore took part in the 200m and clocked a time of 24.03, an improvement of 0.25, to claim the #3 time in program history.
// UP AND OVER
Blaut was the lone victor on the day for the Bearcats as she won the women's high jump with a clearance of 1.76m (5-09.25). While that marks is under personal-best, it is a season best for the All-American and increased her season lead in the American Athletic Conference by 6cm (2.25 inches).
// SPRINTING INTO THE BOOKS
Lattimore wasn't the only women's sprinter that was flying high Saturday as Haisha Bisiolu and Bryana Robinson also got in on the Top 10 act. In the 60m, Robinson ran 7.71 to move into a tie for the #9 spot all-time. Later, both ladies took part in the 200m event that saw Robinson run a personal-best time of 24.11 to move to #4 all-time while Bisiolu ran 24.37 to equal her previous best and the #7 mark in program history.
// WRITING IN PENCIL
The trio of Lattimore, Bisiolu and Robinson have made quite an impact on the UC record books in their short time in Clifton. Following today's races, those three ladies joined with Kellsa Mbah to claim four of the Top 10 marks in program history in the 60m dash since the start of last season as they now rank #2 (Lattimore), tied for #3 (Mbah 7.52), #5 (Bisiolu) and tied for #9 (Robinson). Also, Robinson has found a way to continually add her name to the ledgers as her addition to the 60m list today places her name in the Top 10 of five sprint events: tied #9 in the 60m, #4 in the 200m, #1 in the 400m, #3 in the 300m and #2 in the 500m.
// UP AND AWAY
The pole vault competition proved to be a solid event for the Bearcats Saturday with both Brooke Catherine and Adrian Valles posting impressive clearances. Catherine and the women were up first with the Bearcats junior clearing 4.05m (13-03.50) to move into a tie for the #4 position in program history with Brittany Klima (2008). That mark, which is a collegiate personal best (her lifetime best is 4.06m), makes her just the fifth woman in program history to clear 4 meters in competition and the first to do so since the 2014 season.
Later in the day, Valles had his turn and the event came down to a rematch of the NCAA outdoor final with Akron's Matt Ludwig once again coming out on top. Despite not getting the win, Valles did post a season-best clearance of 5.47m (17-11.25) and move into #4 on the latest NCAA descending order lists.
// GOING THE DISTANCE
The 3,000m run produced several strong times on the night. In the women's races, Hannah Markel and Sam Mikula put together strong races and turned in personal-best times of 10:06.77 and 10:16.16, respectively. Markel's time placed her in the program's all-time Top 10 at #9 as she ran the fastest time for UC since the 2011 season. While she is only the second individual to add a time to the Top 10 list since 2011 (both under coach Lara Crofford), Mikula nearly became the third as her time ranks her #12 all-time at UC.
Prior to the women running, the men's race was held with Aaron Bienenfeld making his collegiate debut after signing with the program earlier in the fall. The junior from Germany ran 8:23.99 to turn in the #7 time in program history and the second-fastest run at UC in the past three seasons. He also is the fourth runner under coach Sam Burroughs to post a time in the Top 7 in program history.
// McCALL CLEARS HURDLES
Rookie Isaiah McCall had a solid day in the hurdles as the Lexington, Ky., product (Bryan Station HS) turned in a time of 8.09 in the final of the 60m hurdles to move into a tie for the #5 spot in program history. The fastest time recorded in the event since the 2015 season, McCall is now tied with Brandon Hon on the all-time Top 10.
// QUICK BOUNCE
In the women's triple jump, newcomer Mary Purtsa bounced her way to a mark of 11.87m (38-11.50) to move into #4 in program history in her collegiate debut. Along with Irati Mitxelena, who was fourth on the day with a best of 12.01m (39-05.00), Bearcats have posted four of the Top 5 marks in program history in the past three seasons under coach Sam Kranz.
// ON THE NATIONAL SCENE
Following the meet, five marks attained currently rank among the national Top 30. For the women, Lattimore (#23) and Robinson (#28) both rank in the 200m while Catherine stands at #18 in the pole vault. For the men, Michael Vitucci, who ran 1:52.56 on the day, ranks #27 in the 800m while Valles is up to #4 in the pole vault.
// MAKING THE LIST
Following today's meet, several Bearcats moved up into the Top 3 in several events among the members of the AAC. For the women, UC holds the #1 (Lattimore), #2 (Robinson) and #4 (Bisiolu) times in the 200m while Catherine is #1 in the pole vault and Markel #3 in the 3,000m. On the men's side, Valles (pole vault) and Alex Bloom (high jump) both lead the way with the top marks in their respective evens while Vitucci (800m), Bienenfeld (3,000m) and McCall (60m hurdles) are all ranked second. Sam Meece, who broke the freshman record in the weight throw one night before, ranks #3.
// ON DECK
Next week, the Bearcats return to the road as they will venture to South Bend, Ind., to compete in the 2018 Notre Dame Invitational on Saturday, January 20.
2018 Kentucky Invitational
January 13 (Day Two) • Nutter Field House • Lexington, Ky.
Women's Results
60m Dash
Prelims
3. Tiona Lattimore - 7.52 - PR & UC #2 (tie) - qualified to final
5. Kellsa Mbah - 7.61 - qualified to final
13. Bryana Robinson - 7.71 - PR & UC #9 (tie)
29. Juliana Puopolo - 8.00
30. Alanna Hendricks - 8.01
34. Angelica Lightfoot - 8.08 - PR
FINAL
3. Tiona Lattimore - 7.48 - PR & UC #2
7. Kellsa Mbah - 7.63
60m Hurdles
Prelims
14. Angelica Lightfoot - 8.91
14. Juliana Puopolo - 8.91
32. Maggie Loeffler - 9.51
34. Naomi Urbano - 9.67
37. Alanna Hendricks - 9.97
200m Dash
8. Tiona Lattimore - 24.03 - PR & UC #3
9. Bryana Robinson - 24.11 - PR & UC #4
11. Haisha Bisiolu - 24.37 - =PR & =UC #7
800m Run
11. Meg Westerheide - 2:16.47
14. Alexis Anton - 2:19.30
15. Sammy Hentz - 2:21.18
Mile Run
24. Sydney Hess - 5:27.34 - PR
26. Grace O'Donnell - 5:30.30
3,000m Run
17. Hannah Markel - 10:06.77 - PR & UC #9
25. Sam Mikula - 10:16.16 - PR
33. Lianne Masquelier - 10:32.18 - PR
Long Jump
3. Kellsa Mbah - 5.80m (19-00.50)
9. Kennedy Marable - 5.44m (17-10.25) - PR
12. Angelica Lightfoot - 5.33m (17-06.00)
35. Katie Straus - 4.02m (13-02.25)
Triple Jump
4. Irati Mitxelena - 12.01m (39-05.00)
6. Mary Purtsa - 11.87m (38-11.50) - PR & UC #4
High Jump
1. Loretta Blaut - 1.76m (5-09.25)
5. Naomi Urbano - 1.66m (5-05.25)
t9. Katie Kravitsky - 1.61m (5-03.25)
t9. Katie Straus - 1.61m (5-03.25)
21. Maggie Loeffler - 1.51m (4-11.50)
Pole Vault
3. Brooke Catherine - 4.05m (13-03.50) - PR & UC #4 (tie)
t9. Rachel Coghill - 3.75m (12-03.50) - PR
t17. Sadie Brass - 3.45m (11-03.75)
t17. Allie Plybon - 3.45m (11-03.75)
Shot Put
5. Annette Echikunwoke - 15.15m (49-08.50)
8. Ashley Williams - 14.53m (47-08.00)
13. Leah Heckaman - 13.31m (43-08.00)
15. Alexis Gray - 13.30m (43-07.75)
Men's Results
60m Dash
Prelims
6. Austin Edwards - 6.90 - qualified to final
15. Jimmy Brooks - 6.97
18. Mykel Chambers - 7.04
20. Halen Witcher - 7.08
37. Kelvin Williams - 7.39
---- Isaiah McCall - false start
FINAL
8. Austin Edwards - 6.90
60m Hurdles
Prelims
9. Isaiah McCall - 8.28 - qualified to final
12. Alex Bloom - 8.38 - PR
13. Kelvin Williams - 8.48
FINAL
4. Isaiah McCall - 8.09 - PR & UC #5 (tie)
200m Dash
9. Jimmy Brooks - 22.07
14. Mykel Chambers - 22.46 - PR
18. Halen Witcher - 22.66
19. Jaashir Morris - 22.81
800m Run
6. Michael Vitucci - 1:52.56
12. Logan Baker - 1:55.73
Mile Run
16. Matt Stump - 4:22.55 - PR
3,000m Run
6. Aaron Bienenfeld - 8:23.99 - PR & UC #7
14. Nick Grismer - 8:38.86
17. Dan Huben - 8:41.49
Long Jump
5. Austin Edwards - 7.24m (23-09.00)
Triple Jump
9. Brandon White - 13.50m (44-03.50)
High Jump
6. Alex Bloom - 2.10m (6-10.75)
10. Albert Kalala - 2.05m (6-08.75) - PR
Pole Vault
2. Adrian Valles - 5.47m (17-11.25)
14. Alex Bloom - 4.68m (15-04.25)
Shot Put
10. Marcus Abraham - 15.84m (51-11.75)
12. Sam Meece - 14.97m (49-01.50)
14. Aaron Deaton - 14.91m (48-11.00) - PR
Superlatives
Women
Haisha Bisiolu - 200m - 24.37 - =UC #7
Brooke Catherine - Pole Vault - 4.05m (13-03.50) - UC #4 (tie)
Tiona Lattimore - 60m final - 7.48 - UC #2
Tiona Lattimore - 60m prelims - 7.52 - UC #2 (tie)
Tiona Lattimore - 200m - 24.03 - UC #3
Hannah Markel - 3,000m - 10:06.77 - UC #9
Mary Purtsa - Triple Jump - 11.87m (38-11.50) - UC #4
Bryana Robinson - 60m prelims - 7.71 - UC #9 (tie)
Bryana Robinson - 200m - 24.11 - UC #4
Men
Aaron Bienenfeld - 3,000m - 8:23.99 - UC #7
Isaiah McCall - 60m hurdles final - 8.09 - UC #5 (tie)
// LATTIMORE LETS LOOSE
Saturday, Lattimore took to the track in a trio of races as she competed in both the preliminaries and the final of the 60m dash while also racing in the 200m. First, she clocked a time of 7.52 in the prelims to not only punch her ticket to the final, but also move up to a tie for #2 all-time after shaving 0.21 off her previous best. In the final, she again turned in an improvement, this time at 7.48, to claim sole possession of the #2 ranking, placing her just behind Natasha Burse, who ran 7.40 in 2011. Later in the meet, Lattimore took part in the 200m and clocked a time of 24.03, an improvement of 0.25, to claim the #3 time in program history.
// UP AND OVER
Blaut was the lone victor on the day for the Bearcats as she won the women's high jump with a clearance of 1.76m (5-09.25). While that marks is under personal-best, it is a season best for the All-American and increased her season lead in the American Athletic Conference by 6cm (2.25 inches).
// SPRINTING INTO THE BOOKS
Lattimore wasn't the only women's sprinter that was flying high Saturday as Haisha Bisiolu and Bryana Robinson also got in on the Top 10 act. In the 60m, Robinson ran 7.71 to move into a tie for the #9 spot all-time. Later, both ladies took part in the 200m event that saw Robinson run a personal-best time of 24.11 to move to #4 all-time while Bisiolu ran 24.37 to equal her previous best and the #7 mark in program history.
// WRITING IN PENCIL
The trio of Lattimore, Bisiolu and Robinson have made quite an impact on the UC record books in their short time in Clifton. Following today's races, those three ladies joined with Kellsa Mbah to claim four of the Top 10 marks in program history in the 60m dash since the start of last season as they now rank #2 (Lattimore), tied for #3 (Mbah 7.52), #5 (Bisiolu) and tied for #9 (Robinson). Also, Robinson has found a way to continually add her name to the ledgers as her addition to the 60m list today places her name in the Top 10 of five sprint events: tied #9 in the 60m, #4 in the 200m, #1 in the 400m, #3 in the 300m and #2 in the 500m.
// UP AND AWAY
The pole vault competition proved to be a solid event for the Bearcats Saturday with both Brooke Catherine and Adrian Valles posting impressive clearances. Catherine and the women were up first with the Bearcats junior clearing 4.05m (13-03.50) to move into a tie for the #4 position in program history with Brittany Klima (2008). That mark, which is a collegiate personal best (her lifetime best is 4.06m), makes her just the fifth woman in program history to clear 4 meters in competition and the first to do so since the 2014 season.
Later in the day, Valles had his turn and the event came down to a rematch of the NCAA outdoor final with Akron's Matt Ludwig once again coming out on top. Despite not getting the win, Valles did post a season-best clearance of 5.47m (17-11.25) and move into #4 on the latest NCAA descending order lists.
// GOING THE DISTANCE
The 3,000m run produced several strong times on the night. In the women's races, Hannah Markel and Sam Mikula put together strong races and turned in personal-best times of 10:06.77 and 10:16.16, respectively. Markel's time placed her in the program's all-time Top 10 at #9 as she ran the fastest time for UC since the 2011 season. While she is only the second individual to add a time to the Top 10 list since 2011 (both under coach Lara Crofford), Mikula nearly became the third as her time ranks her #12 all-time at UC.
Prior to the women running, the men's race was held with Aaron Bienenfeld making his collegiate debut after signing with the program earlier in the fall. The junior from Germany ran 8:23.99 to turn in the #7 time in program history and the second-fastest run at UC in the past three seasons. He also is the fourth runner under coach Sam Burroughs to post a time in the Top 7 in program history.
// McCALL CLEARS HURDLES
Rookie Isaiah McCall had a solid day in the hurdles as the Lexington, Ky., product (Bryan Station HS) turned in a time of 8.09 in the final of the 60m hurdles to move into a tie for the #5 spot in program history. The fastest time recorded in the event since the 2015 season, McCall is now tied with Brandon Hon on the all-time Top 10.
// QUICK BOUNCE
In the women's triple jump, newcomer Mary Purtsa bounced her way to a mark of 11.87m (38-11.50) to move into #4 in program history in her collegiate debut. Along with Irati Mitxelena, who was fourth on the day with a best of 12.01m (39-05.00), Bearcats have posted four of the Top 5 marks in program history in the past three seasons under coach Sam Kranz.
// ON THE NATIONAL SCENE
Following the meet, five marks attained currently rank among the national Top 30. For the women, Lattimore (#23) and Robinson (#28) both rank in the 200m while Catherine stands at #18 in the pole vault. For the men, Michael Vitucci, who ran 1:52.56 on the day, ranks #27 in the 800m while Valles is up to #4 in the pole vault.
// MAKING THE LIST
Following today's meet, several Bearcats moved up into the Top 3 in several events among the members of the AAC. For the women, UC holds the #1 (Lattimore), #2 (Robinson) and #4 (Bisiolu) times in the 200m while Catherine is #1 in the pole vault and Markel #3 in the 3,000m. On the men's side, Valles (pole vault) and Alex Bloom (high jump) both lead the way with the top marks in their respective evens while Vitucci (800m), Bienenfeld (3,000m) and McCall (60m hurdles) are all ranked second. Sam Meece, who broke the freshman record in the weight throw one night before, ranks #3.
// ON DECK
Next week, the Bearcats return to the road as they will venture to South Bend, Ind., to compete in the 2018 Notre Dame Invitational on Saturday, January 20.
2018 Kentucky Invitational
January 13 (Day Two) • Nutter Field House • Lexington, Ky.
Women's Results
60m Dash
Prelims
3. Tiona Lattimore - 7.52 - PR & UC #2 (tie) - qualified to final
5. Kellsa Mbah - 7.61 - qualified to final
13. Bryana Robinson - 7.71 - PR & UC #9 (tie)
29. Juliana Puopolo - 8.00
30. Alanna Hendricks - 8.01
34. Angelica Lightfoot - 8.08 - PR
FINAL
3. Tiona Lattimore - 7.48 - PR & UC #2
7. Kellsa Mbah - 7.63
60m Hurdles
Prelims
14. Angelica Lightfoot - 8.91
14. Juliana Puopolo - 8.91
32. Maggie Loeffler - 9.51
34. Naomi Urbano - 9.67
37. Alanna Hendricks - 9.97
200m Dash
8. Tiona Lattimore - 24.03 - PR & UC #3
9. Bryana Robinson - 24.11 - PR & UC #4
11. Haisha Bisiolu - 24.37 - =PR & =UC #7
800m Run
11. Meg Westerheide - 2:16.47
14. Alexis Anton - 2:19.30
15. Sammy Hentz - 2:21.18
Mile Run
24. Sydney Hess - 5:27.34 - PR
26. Grace O'Donnell - 5:30.30
3,000m Run
17. Hannah Markel - 10:06.77 - PR & UC #9
25. Sam Mikula - 10:16.16 - PR
33. Lianne Masquelier - 10:32.18 - PR
Long Jump
3. Kellsa Mbah - 5.80m (19-00.50)
9. Kennedy Marable - 5.44m (17-10.25) - PR
12. Angelica Lightfoot - 5.33m (17-06.00)
35. Katie Straus - 4.02m (13-02.25)
Triple Jump
4. Irati Mitxelena - 12.01m (39-05.00)
6. Mary Purtsa - 11.87m (38-11.50) - PR & UC #4
High Jump
1. Loretta Blaut - 1.76m (5-09.25)
5. Naomi Urbano - 1.66m (5-05.25)
t9. Katie Kravitsky - 1.61m (5-03.25)
t9. Katie Straus - 1.61m (5-03.25)
21. Maggie Loeffler - 1.51m (4-11.50)
Pole Vault
3. Brooke Catherine - 4.05m (13-03.50) - PR & UC #4 (tie)
t9. Rachel Coghill - 3.75m (12-03.50) - PR
t17. Sadie Brass - 3.45m (11-03.75)
t17. Allie Plybon - 3.45m (11-03.75)
Shot Put
5. Annette Echikunwoke - 15.15m (49-08.50)
8. Ashley Williams - 14.53m (47-08.00)
13. Leah Heckaman - 13.31m (43-08.00)
15. Alexis Gray - 13.30m (43-07.75)
Men's Results
60m Dash
Prelims
6. Austin Edwards - 6.90 - qualified to final
15. Jimmy Brooks - 6.97
18. Mykel Chambers - 7.04
20. Halen Witcher - 7.08
37. Kelvin Williams - 7.39
---- Isaiah McCall - false start
FINAL
8. Austin Edwards - 6.90
60m Hurdles
Prelims
9. Isaiah McCall - 8.28 - qualified to final
12. Alex Bloom - 8.38 - PR
13. Kelvin Williams - 8.48
FINAL
4. Isaiah McCall - 8.09 - PR & UC #5 (tie)
200m Dash
9. Jimmy Brooks - 22.07
14. Mykel Chambers - 22.46 - PR
18. Halen Witcher - 22.66
19. Jaashir Morris - 22.81
800m Run
6. Michael Vitucci - 1:52.56
12. Logan Baker - 1:55.73
Mile Run
16. Matt Stump - 4:22.55 - PR
3,000m Run
6. Aaron Bienenfeld - 8:23.99 - PR & UC #7
14. Nick Grismer - 8:38.86
17. Dan Huben - 8:41.49
Long Jump
5. Austin Edwards - 7.24m (23-09.00)
Triple Jump
9. Brandon White - 13.50m (44-03.50)
High Jump
6. Alex Bloom - 2.10m (6-10.75)
10. Albert Kalala - 2.05m (6-08.75) - PR
Pole Vault
2. Adrian Valles - 5.47m (17-11.25)
14. Alex Bloom - 4.68m (15-04.25)
Shot Put
10. Marcus Abraham - 15.84m (51-11.75)
12. Sam Meece - 14.97m (49-01.50)
14. Aaron Deaton - 14.91m (48-11.00) - PR
Superlatives
Women
Haisha Bisiolu - 200m - 24.37 - =UC #7
Brooke Catherine - Pole Vault - 4.05m (13-03.50) - UC #4 (tie)
Tiona Lattimore - 60m final - 7.48 - UC #2
Tiona Lattimore - 60m prelims - 7.52 - UC #2 (tie)
Tiona Lattimore - 200m - 24.03 - UC #3
Hannah Markel - 3,000m - 10:06.77 - UC #9
Mary Purtsa - Triple Jump - 11.87m (38-11.50) - UC #4
Bryana Robinson - 60m prelims - 7.71 - UC #9 (tie)
Bryana Robinson - 200m - 24.11 - UC #4
Men
Aaron Bienenfeld - 3,000m - 8:23.99 - UC #7
Isaiah McCall - 60m hurdles final - 8.09 - UC #5 (tie)