TicketsCINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati track & field program closed out a spectacular stay at the American Athletic Conference Indoor Championships Saturday inside the CrossPlex in Birmingham, Ala., as the Bearcats women were one-half of one point from winning the team title while the men added three more individual titles to their haul to place third overall in the team standings. In addition to Aaron Bienenfeld's 5,000m title from the day before, Damien Berthenet (heptathlon), Chris Borzor (200m) and Arthur Greenlee IV (60mH) all added titles in their events as well for the Bearcats. All told, 18 different Bearcats (10 men and eight women) earned Top 3 finishes to garner AAC All-Conference accolades as well.
// TEAM STANDINGS
The final team standings were tough to see for the UC women as they finished second to Houston, 84-83.5, missing the gold trophy by 0.5 points. Despite the near miss, the Bearcats women did earn a trophy at the AAC Indoor Championships for the fourth year in a row after placing second in 2019 and 2017 with a conference crown sandwiched in between (2018). Temple (71), SMU (60.5) and Wichita State (59) rounded out the Top 5. On the men's side, Houston ran away with the crown once again as they scored 179 points to better Tulsa by 50 (129). The Bearcats were third (101) with Tulsa (79) and WSU (59) rounding out the Top 5. The finish for UC continued an upward trajectory as the Bearcats were fifth in 2017 and 2018 before taking fourth last year.
// BIG RUN BORZOR
In the sprints, Borzor scored 18 points individually as he won the 200m in 20.84 and took second in the 400m in 47.43, both of which are personal-best times for the sophomore. He opened his day in the quarter as he raced to his third PR of the season and finished second overall while moving into a tie for #5 all-time in program history. Prior to this season, he had not cracked the Top 10 before running the #10, #7 and now #5 times. He followed that performance in the 200m as he cruised to the win in 20.84 to lower his own school record by 0.09 seconds and take the title by 0.19 seconds. With his performance, the coaches in the AAC selected him as the 2020 AAC Men's Most Valuable Performer.
// FANTASTIQUE FRENCHMAN
Perhaps one of the biggest stories of the weekend came in the heptathlon as Berthenet not only won the title with 5,693 points, which broke the UC record, he also looks to have punched his ticket to the NCAA Championships in Albuquerque, N.M., in two weeks. The overall leader following the first day of action, Berthenet went right back to work Saturday as he ran 8.31 in the 60m hurdles to earn 905 points and break the UC event record that had stood since 2005 when Ben Haber ran 8.32. Berthenet followed that with a clearance of 4.80m (15-09.00) in the pole vault for 849 points and the #4 clearance in UC heptathlon history before running 2:43.98 in the 1,000m for his final 830 points. All told, he accumulated 2,547 points in the three events, which stands as the #2 total in program history. While Berthenet was climbing the ladder, so was Cannon Riddle who finished third overall in a PR 5,279 points, the #6 score in UC history. Riddle scored 2,349 points on Saturday (#6) by running 8.81 (heptathlon #5), clearing a huge PR of 4.40m (14-05.25) in the pole vault (heptathlon #8) and running 2:47.37.
// GREENLEE GOLDEN
Also in the sprints, Greenlee IV had another solid race as he won his first conference title with a time of 7.77 in the 60m hurdles. An all-conference performance, Greenlee IV is the first men's indoor 60m hurdles champion in program history and just the third hurdles champion indoors ever for the UC men as the previous two titles came in the 55m hurdles, most recently by James Scott in 1994. The Bearcats secured 13 points in the event as Connor Duricky finished sixth overall (8.18) to add three team points as well.
// CHANDLER TAKES TWO SILVERS
Caisja Chandler scored 16 points individually for the women as she was the conference runner-up in both the 60m and 200m events. First, she ran 7.35 to finish second in the short sprint to earn her first all-conference honor of the day. Next, she ran a PR and school-record time of 23.22 to finish second as well, lowering her best by 0.30 seconds in the process.
// FINE LEATHER
Ellie Leather garnered her second all-conference honor of the weekend as she finished third in strongly contested mile. The junior transfer finished the race in 4:51.92 to earn six points for the team while posting the second-best finish in the event in UC indoor history. The only better finish came in 2002 when Angie Kist won the crown, running 4:50.01 at the Conference USA meet. Katrina Patterson finished eighth on the day (5:01.97) to secure one point for the team as well.
// LEAP YEAR POINTS
While Saturday was a Leap Year, it wasn't the leap Irati Mitxelena had in mind as she was second overall in the triple jump with a best of 12.81m (42-00.50), missing out on a three-peat by 0.01m as the winner went 12.82m. Despite the finish, she was joined on the podium by Kennedy Marable, who was third with a best of 12.78m (41-11.25), to give UC 14 big points in the event.
// BIENENFELD NEARLY DOUBLES
After claiming the 5,000m run Friday night, Bienenfeld nearly made it two goals in two days as he came up just a little short by finishing second in the 3,000m run Saturday in 8:05.51. Despite the finish, he garnered eight more team points and his second all-conference honor of the week.
// MIGHTY MARKEL
In the women's 3,000m run, Hannah Markel added two team points by running 9:40.55 to finish seventh. On top of that, her time broke the school record held by Lilian Jelimo since 2008 when she ran 9:42.95.
// A SHOT AT POINTS
Four individuals scored in the shot put with Malin Smith and Sam Meece finishing third and earning all-conference honors for the women and men, respectively. Additionally, Jane Sensibaugh hit a toss of 14.86m (48-09.00) to move up to #8 all-time at UC and finish fifth to score four points for the women while Aaron Deaton was seventh for the men to post two points.
// UP NEXT
Those that qualify will compete in the 2020 NCAA Indoor Championships in Albuquerque, N.M., March 13-14.
2020 AAC INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
CrossPlex • Birmingham, Ala.
February 29, 2020 • DAY 2
WOMEN'S RESULTS
60m DASH • FINAL
2. Caisja Chandler • 7.35 • All-Conference • 8 points
60m HURDLES • FINAL
6. Victoria Abunaw • 8.53 • SB & UC #8 • 3 points
200m DASH • FINAL
2. Caisja Chandler • 23.22 • SB, PR & UC RECORD • All-Conference • 8 points
400m DASH • FINAL
6. Faith Banks • 54.98 • SB, PR & UC #5 • 3 points
800m RUN • FINAL
6. Carmen Licht • 2:15.17 • 3 points
8. Sydney Kilgore • 2:16.61 • 1 point
MILE RUN • FINAL
3. Ellie Leather • 4:51.92 • All-Conference • 6 points
8. Katrina Patterson • 5:01.97 • 1 point
10. Sam Mikula • 5:06.08
3,000m RUN • FINAL
7. Hannah Markel • 9:40.55 • SB, PR & UC RECORD • 2 points
13. Maddie Walker • 9:53.31 • SB, PR & UC #5
31. Katrina Patterson • 10:22.67
4x400m RELAY • FINAL
11. Cincinnati • 3:50.93
Banks (55.0), Lattimore (59.1), Cutlip (58.8), Chandler (57.8)
TRIPLE JUMP • FINAL
2. Irati Mitxelena • 12.81m (42-00.50) • SB • All-Conference • 8 points
3. Kennedy Marable • 12.78m (41-11.25) • All-Conference • 6 points
16. Taylor Beard • 10.88m (35-08.50)
HIGH JUMP • FINAL
6. Taylor Beard • 1.72m (5-07.75) • 3 points
t9. Katie Straus • 1.62m (5-03.75)
SHOT PUT • FINAL
3. Malin Smith • 15.40m (50-06.25) • All-Conference • 6 points
5. Jane Sensibaugh • 14.86m (48-09.00) • SB, PR & UC #8 • 4 points
10. Hannah Jackson • 13.82m (45-04.25)
11. Izzy Kline • 13.81m (45-03.75) • SB & PR
MEN'S RESULTS
60m HURDLES • FINAL
1. Arthur Greenlee IV • 7.77 • CHAMPION • All-Conference • 10 points
6. Connor Duricky • 8.18 • 3 points
200m DASH • FINAL
1. Chris Borzor • 20.84 • SB, PR & UC RECORD • All-Conference • 10 points
400m DASH • FINAL
2. Chris Borzor • 47.43 • SB, PR & UC #5 (tie) • All-Conference • 8 points
800m RUN • FINAL
5. Jase Headings • 1:53.76 • 4 points
MILE RUN • FINAL
6. Tyler Wirth • 4:12.86 • 3 points
3,000m RUN • FINAL
2. Aaron Bienenfeld • 8:05.51 • All-Conference • 8 points
14. Toni Banos • 8:33.48
4x400m RELAY • FINAL
7. Cincinnati • 3:18.17 • SB • 2 points
Porter (49.9), Van Horne (49.5), Headings (50.2), Borzor (48.4)
TRIPLE JUMP • FINAL
6. Andre Wright • 14.97m (49-01.50) • 3 points
8. Brandon White • 14.62m (47-11.75) • 1 point
HIGH JUMP • FINAL
t7. Albert Kalala • 2.03m (6-08.00) • SB • 1.5 points
t9. Lawrence Mitchell • 2.03m (6-08.00)
11. Jeremy Hayton • 2.03m (6-08.00)
SHOT PUT • FINAL
3. Sam Meece • 17.18m (56-04.50) • SB • All-Conference • 6 points
7. Aaron Deaton • 16.15m (53-00.00) • 2 points
11. Danny Jones • 15.12m (49-07.25)
HEPTATHLON • FINAL
1. Damien Berthenet • 5,693 points • SB, PR & UC RECORD • CHAMPION • All-Conference • 10 points
3. Cannon Riddle • 5,279 points • SB, PR & UC #6 • All-Conference • 6 points
Heptathlon • Day 2 ONLY
Damien Berthenet • 2,547 points • SB, PR & UC #2
Cannon Riddle • 2,349 points • SB, PR & UC #6
Heptathlon #5 • 60m Hurdles
2. Damien Berthenet • 8.31 [905p] • ^SB & UC HEP RECORD
8. Cannon Riddle • 8.81 [788p] • SB, PR & UC HEP #5
Heptathlon #6 • Pole Vault
1. Damien Berthenet • 4.80m (15-09.00)[849p] • SB, PR & UC HEP #4
2. Cannon Riddle • 4.40m (14-05.25)[731p] • SB, PR & UC HEP #8
Heptathlon #7 • 1,000m Run
1. Cannon Riddle • 2:43.98 [830p]
5. Damien Berthenet • 2:47.37 [793p]
TEAM STANDINGS
Women • FINAL
1. Houston • 84
2. CINCINNATI • 83.5
3. Temple • 71
4. SMU • 60.5
5. Wichita State • 59
6. ECU • 57
7. Memphis • 54
8. UCF • 53
9. UConn • 43
10. Tulane • 37
11. USF • 31
11. Tulsa • 31
Men • FINAL
1. Houston • 179
2. UConn • 129
3. CINCINNATI • 101
4. Tulsa • 79
5. Wichita State • 59
6. Memphis • 57
7. ECU • 30
8. USF • 29
AWARDS & HONORS
Most Valuable Performer • Men
Chris Borzor (Cincinnati)
Conference Champions • Men (4)
Berthenet, Damien • Heptathlon
Bienenfeld, Aaron • 5,000m
Borzor, Chris • 200m
Greenlee IV, Arthur • 60m Hurdles
All-Conference (Top 3 Finishers) • Women (8 w/ 10 awards)
Chandler, Caisja • 60m (2) / 200m (2)
Kilgore, Sydney • DMR (2)
Leather, Ellie • DMR (2) / Mile (3)
Licht, Carmen • DMR (2)
Marable, Kennedy • Triple Jump (3)
Mikula, Sam • DMR (2)
Mitxelena, Irati • Triple Jump (2)
Smith, Malin • Shot Put (3)
All-Conference (Top 3 Finishers) • Men (10 w/ 12 awards)
Baker, Logan • DMR (2)
Banos, Toni • DMR (2)
Berthenet, Damien • Heptathlon (1)
Bienenfeld, Aaron • 5,000m (1) / 3,000m (2)
Borzor, Chris • 200m (1) / 400m (2)
Greenlee IV, Arthur • 60mH (1)
Meece, Sam • Shot Put (3)
Porter, Akari • DMR (2)
Riddle, Cannon • Heptathlon (3)
Stump, Matt • DMR (2)
// TEAM STANDINGS
The final team standings were tough to see for the UC women as they finished second to Houston, 84-83.5, missing the gold trophy by 0.5 points. Despite the near miss, the Bearcats women did earn a trophy at the AAC Indoor Championships for the fourth year in a row after placing second in 2019 and 2017 with a conference crown sandwiched in between (2018). Temple (71), SMU (60.5) and Wichita State (59) rounded out the Top 5. On the men's side, Houston ran away with the crown once again as they scored 179 points to better Tulsa by 50 (129). The Bearcats were third (101) with Tulsa (79) and WSU (59) rounding out the Top 5. The finish for UC continued an upward trajectory as the Bearcats were fifth in 2017 and 2018 before taking fourth last year.
// BIG RUN BORZOR
In the sprints, Borzor scored 18 points individually as he won the 200m in 20.84 and took second in the 400m in 47.43, both of which are personal-best times for the sophomore. He opened his day in the quarter as he raced to his third PR of the season and finished second overall while moving into a tie for #5 all-time in program history. Prior to this season, he had not cracked the Top 10 before running the #10, #7 and now #5 times. He followed that performance in the 200m as he cruised to the win in 20.84 to lower his own school record by 0.09 seconds and take the title by 0.19 seconds. With his performance, the coaches in the AAC selected him as the 2020 AAC Men's Most Valuable Performer.
// FANTASTIQUE FRENCHMAN
Perhaps one of the biggest stories of the weekend came in the heptathlon as Berthenet not only won the title with 5,693 points, which broke the UC record, he also looks to have punched his ticket to the NCAA Championships in Albuquerque, N.M., in two weeks. The overall leader following the first day of action, Berthenet went right back to work Saturday as he ran 8.31 in the 60m hurdles to earn 905 points and break the UC event record that had stood since 2005 when Ben Haber ran 8.32. Berthenet followed that with a clearance of 4.80m (15-09.00) in the pole vault for 849 points and the #4 clearance in UC heptathlon history before running 2:43.98 in the 1,000m for his final 830 points. All told, he accumulated 2,547 points in the three events, which stands as the #2 total in program history. While Berthenet was climbing the ladder, so was Cannon Riddle who finished third overall in a PR 5,279 points, the #6 score in UC history. Riddle scored 2,349 points on Saturday (#6) by running 8.81 (heptathlon #5), clearing a huge PR of 4.40m (14-05.25) in the pole vault (heptathlon #8) and running 2:47.37.
// GREENLEE GOLDEN
Also in the sprints, Greenlee IV had another solid race as he won his first conference title with a time of 7.77 in the 60m hurdles. An all-conference performance, Greenlee IV is the first men's indoor 60m hurdles champion in program history and just the third hurdles champion indoors ever for the UC men as the previous two titles came in the 55m hurdles, most recently by James Scott in 1994. The Bearcats secured 13 points in the event as Connor Duricky finished sixth overall (8.18) to add three team points as well.
// CHANDLER TAKES TWO SILVERS
Caisja Chandler scored 16 points individually for the women as she was the conference runner-up in both the 60m and 200m events. First, she ran 7.35 to finish second in the short sprint to earn her first all-conference honor of the day. Next, she ran a PR and school-record time of 23.22 to finish second as well, lowering her best by 0.30 seconds in the process.
// FINE LEATHER
Ellie Leather garnered her second all-conference honor of the weekend as she finished third in strongly contested mile. The junior transfer finished the race in 4:51.92 to earn six points for the team while posting the second-best finish in the event in UC indoor history. The only better finish came in 2002 when Angie Kist won the crown, running 4:50.01 at the Conference USA meet. Katrina Patterson finished eighth on the day (5:01.97) to secure one point for the team as well.
// LEAP YEAR POINTS
While Saturday was a Leap Year, it wasn't the leap Irati Mitxelena had in mind as she was second overall in the triple jump with a best of 12.81m (42-00.50), missing out on a three-peat by 0.01m as the winner went 12.82m. Despite the finish, she was joined on the podium by Kennedy Marable, who was third with a best of 12.78m (41-11.25), to give UC 14 big points in the event.
// BIENENFELD NEARLY DOUBLES
After claiming the 5,000m run Friday night, Bienenfeld nearly made it two goals in two days as he came up just a little short by finishing second in the 3,000m run Saturday in 8:05.51. Despite the finish, he garnered eight more team points and his second all-conference honor of the week.
// MIGHTY MARKEL
In the women's 3,000m run, Hannah Markel added two team points by running 9:40.55 to finish seventh. On top of that, her time broke the school record held by Lilian Jelimo since 2008 when she ran 9:42.95.
// A SHOT AT POINTS
Four individuals scored in the shot put with Malin Smith and Sam Meece finishing third and earning all-conference honors for the women and men, respectively. Additionally, Jane Sensibaugh hit a toss of 14.86m (48-09.00) to move up to #8 all-time at UC and finish fifth to score four points for the women while Aaron Deaton was seventh for the men to post two points.
// UP NEXT
Those that qualify will compete in the 2020 NCAA Indoor Championships in Albuquerque, N.M., March 13-14.
2020 AAC INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
CrossPlex • Birmingham, Ala.
February 29, 2020 • DAY 2
WOMEN'S RESULTS
60m DASH • FINAL
2. Caisja Chandler • 7.35 • All-Conference • 8 points
60m HURDLES • FINAL
6. Victoria Abunaw • 8.53 • SB & UC #8 • 3 points
200m DASH • FINAL
2. Caisja Chandler • 23.22 • SB, PR & UC RECORD • All-Conference • 8 points
400m DASH • FINAL
6. Faith Banks • 54.98 • SB, PR & UC #5 • 3 points
800m RUN • FINAL
6. Carmen Licht • 2:15.17 • 3 points
8. Sydney Kilgore • 2:16.61 • 1 point
MILE RUN • FINAL
3. Ellie Leather • 4:51.92 • All-Conference • 6 points
8. Katrina Patterson • 5:01.97 • 1 point
10. Sam Mikula • 5:06.08
3,000m RUN • FINAL
7. Hannah Markel • 9:40.55 • SB, PR & UC RECORD • 2 points
13. Maddie Walker • 9:53.31 • SB, PR & UC #5
31. Katrina Patterson • 10:22.67
4x400m RELAY • FINAL
11. Cincinnati • 3:50.93
Banks (55.0), Lattimore (59.1), Cutlip (58.8), Chandler (57.8)
TRIPLE JUMP • FINAL
2. Irati Mitxelena • 12.81m (42-00.50) • SB • All-Conference • 8 points
3. Kennedy Marable • 12.78m (41-11.25) • All-Conference • 6 points
16. Taylor Beard • 10.88m (35-08.50)
HIGH JUMP • FINAL
6. Taylor Beard • 1.72m (5-07.75) • 3 points
t9. Katie Straus • 1.62m (5-03.75)
SHOT PUT • FINAL
3. Malin Smith • 15.40m (50-06.25) • All-Conference • 6 points
5. Jane Sensibaugh • 14.86m (48-09.00) • SB, PR & UC #8 • 4 points
10. Hannah Jackson • 13.82m (45-04.25)
11. Izzy Kline • 13.81m (45-03.75) • SB & PR
MEN'S RESULTS
60m HURDLES • FINAL
1. Arthur Greenlee IV • 7.77 • CHAMPION • All-Conference • 10 points
6. Connor Duricky • 8.18 • 3 points
200m DASH • FINAL
1. Chris Borzor • 20.84 • SB, PR & UC RECORD • All-Conference • 10 points
400m DASH • FINAL
2. Chris Borzor • 47.43 • SB, PR & UC #5 (tie) • All-Conference • 8 points
800m RUN • FINAL
5. Jase Headings • 1:53.76 • 4 points
MILE RUN • FINAL
6. Tyler Wirth • 4:12.86 • 3 points
3,000m RUN • FINAL
2. Aaron Bienenfeld • 8:05.51 • All-Conference • 8 points
14. Toni Banos • 8:33.48
4x400m RELAY • FINAL
7. Cincinnati • 3:18.17 • SB • 2 points
Porter (49.9), Van Horne (49.5), Headings (50.2), Borzor (48.4)
TRIPLE JUMP • FINAL
6. Andre Wright • 14.97m (49-01.50) • 3 points
8. Brandon White • 14.62m (47-11.75) • 1 point
HIGH JUMP • FINAL
t7. Albert Kalala • 2.03m (6-08.00) • SB • 1.5 points
t9. Lawrence Mitchell • 2.03m (6-08.00)
11. Jeremy Hayton • 2.03m (6-08.00)
SHOT PUT • FINAL
3. Sam Meece • 17.18m (56-04.50) • SB • All-Conference • 6 points
7. Aaron Deaton • 16.15m (53-00.00) • 2 points
11. Danny Jones • 15.12m (49-07.25)
HEPTATHLON • FINAL
1. Damien Berthenet • 5,693 points • SB, PR & UC RECORD • CHAMPION • All-Conference • 10 points
3. Cannon Riddle • 5,279 points • SB, PR & UC #6 • All-Conference • 6 points
Heptathlon • Day 2 ONLY
Damien Berthenet • 2,547 points • SB, PR & UC #2
Cannon Riddle • 2,349 points • SB, PR & UC #6
Heptathlon #5 • 60m Hurdles
2. Damien Berthenet • 8.31 [905p] • ^SB & UC HEP RECORD
8. Cannon Riddle • 8.81 [788p] • SB, PR & UC HEP #5
Heptathlon #6 • Pole Vault
1. Damien Berthenet • 4.80m (15-09.00)[849p] • SB, PR & UC HEP #4
2. Cannon Riddle • 4.40m (14-05.25)[731p] • SB, PR & UC HEP #8
Heptathlon #7 • 1,000m Run
1. Cannon Riddle • 2:43.98 [830p]
5. Damien Berthenet • 2:47.37 [793p]
TEAM STANDINGS
Women • FINAL
1. Houston • 84
2. CINCINNATI • 83.5
3. Temple • 71
4. SMU • 60.5
5. Wichita State • 59
6. ECU • 57
7. Memphis • 54
8. UCF • 53
9. UConn • 43
10. Tulane • 37
11. USF • 31
11. Tulsa • 31
Men • FINAL
1. Houston • 179
2. UConn • 129
3. CINCINNATI • 101
4. Tulsa • 79
5. Wichita State • 59
6. Memphis • 57
7. ECU • 30
8. USF • 29
AWARDS & HONORS
Most Valuable Performer • Men
Chris Borzor (Cincinnati)
Conference Champions • Men (4)
Berthenet, Damien • Heptathlon
Bienenfeld, Aaron • 5,000m
Borzor, Chris • 200m
Greenlee IV, Arthur • 60m Hurdles
All-Conference (Top 3 Finishers) • Women (8 w/ 10 awards)
Chandler, Caisja • 60m (2) / 200m (2)
Kilgore, Sydney • DMR (2)
Leather, Ellie • DMR (2) / Mile (3)
Licht, Carmen • DMR (2)
Marable, Kennedy • Triple Jump (3)
Mikula, Sam • DMR (2)
Mitxelena, Irati • Triple Jump (2)
Smith, Malin • Shot Put (3)
All-Conference (Top 3 Finishers) • Men (10 w/ 12 awards)
Baker, Logan • DMR (2)
Banos, Toni • DMR (2)
Berthenet, Damien • Heptathlon (1)
Bienenfeld, Aaron • 5,000m (1) / 3,000m (2)
Borzor, Chris • 200m (1) / 400m (2)
Greenlee IV, Arthur • 60mH (1)
Meece, Sam • Shot Put (3)
Porter, Akari • DMR (2)
Riddle, Cannon • Heptathlon (3)
Stump, Matt • DMR (2)