RIVERSIDE, CALIF. – Titans set back-to-back meet records in the men's and women's 1500m during day one of the UCR Invitational. Samantha Huerta (Sr) ran 4:23.49 to demolish the previous meet record of 4:38.13 set by Weslie Pearce (UC Riverside) in 2018. Nearly five minutes after Huerta breaks the meet record, Sam Pimentel (Sr) ran 3:50.00 (59.6 last 400m) to break the meet record by 0.10 second for the men's 1500m previously held by Mike Tate (Southern Utah).

Trinity Ruelas (4:28.47), Alyssa Block (4:30.14), and Dana McGrath (4:33.14) finished three-four-five in the women's 1500m respectively. McGrath's time marked a new all-time personal best for her. On the men's side, Jake Smith (3:53.10), Jeremiah Castellano (3:54.72), and John Welch (3:56.95) finished two-four-five overall. Welch would win his heat after accepting the challenge posed by Noah Contreras of CSUN in the final 100-meters of the race.

"I am Really proud at how we competed tonight given the earlier conditions. Both Sam's competed well and I am proud of their last laps. I am also Proud of Sara Hollis who was challenged for the lead in the last lap in women's steeple. And John Welch in the men's 1500m. Proud of how they all finished the races. It's a good sign moving forward"

                                                                                                      -John Elders, Head Coach

Sara Hollis (Sr) won the women's 3000m steeple chase in a time of 10:35.65. Clara Meade (Fr) ran 17:49.64 in the women's 5000m which was good enough for third place overall. Teammate Demi Marine (Sr) finished fifth overall with a time of 17:53.91.

The Titans will be back in action tomorrow for Day Two of the UCR Invitational and Day one of the Long Beach Throw/Jumps Fest.

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