Golden Lions Men & Women Track & Field Shine at UCA Open

Conway, Ark. - The University of Arkansas Pine Bluff men's and women's track and field teams wrapped up an impressive meet at the University of Central Arkansas Open in Conway, Arkansas this past weekend.

UAPB's senior Sireta Roach continued to leave her mark, whenever she steps out in the field events along with senior Jerrel Wilson on the track.

Later on the track, the Golden Lions would pick up a pair of top-five finishes, this time with the sprinters in the men's 400-meter dash. Senior Jerrel Wilson setting a personal best taking first with a time of 47.17 and sophomore Jordan Haley in fifth place with a time of 48.95 and sophomore LaMarques Woodard rounding the top 10 with a time of 49.32 to continue their impressive outdoor campaign.

In the 400 meter hurdle Justin Cooper claimed first place running a time of 52.24 along with freshman Rasheed McAplin who placed third with a time of 55.02. Freshman standout Malique Smith took first place in the 800 meter run with a time of 1:53.52.

The men's relay team took charge as they won the 4x100m with a time of 41.45 and the 4x400m with a time of 3:12.43.

In the women's sprints, the Lady Lions picked up a strong performance from sophomore Briana Burke and Takia Taylor. Taylor ran the 400 in a time of 56.13 to place second, while Burke clocked a 12.42 in the 100-meter dash, to finish second and third in the 200 meter dash with a time of 25.14.

The women relay team matched the men's success by finishing second in the 4x100m relay with a time of 47.33 and second in the 4x400m with a time of 3:50.86.

In the throws, it was freshman Miles Dortch who continued his strong first campaign with the Golden Lions when he finished second in the Javelin, but first against the collegiate athletes that was participating in the event in the men's. Dortch threw the javelin 55.53m ("182'50") and sixth in the hammer throw with a distance of 43.79m (143'8.25"). Teammate Vladimir Gomez placed in the top five, rounding up the fifth spot in the javelin with a distance of 44.91m (147'4.50").

For the second consecutive week, it was senior Sireta Roach showing off her amazing strength in the women's field event. Roach improved on her previous best, set in the last meet, when she tossed to finish first place overall with a distance of 16.05m (52.8"). Roach shot put moves her to No. 20 on the NCAA qualifying list this season. Roach, also competed in the hammer throw and came in second with a measured of 45.91m (150'7.75").

Three UAPB jumpers wrapped up Saturday's competition with top-10 finishes when Sydnee Worlds, Briana Burks and Crystal Christopher competed in the long jump. Burks jumped 5.57m (18'3.25") to finish second, Christopher follow up with third at 5.55m (18'2.50") while Worlds leap 5.31m (17'5.25") to finish sixth.

UAPB will travel to Norman, Oklahoma next weekend in the John Jacobs Invitational April 22-23. The competition will be the next to last in regular-season action before the Southwestern Athletic Conference Outdoor Championships May 6-8 in Huntsville, Alabama.

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