SPOKANE, Wash. - Junior Reyna Johnson broke a school record in the long jump to highlight an impressive showing for UC Irvine women's indoor track & field at the season-opening Spokane Indoor Challenge Saturday at The Podium.
 
Johnson was sitting in second behind freshman teammate Kailah McKenzie before her sixth and final attempt where she registered a personal-record 5.89 meters (19-4) to win the long jump. Johnson's mark topped junior Jolie Robinson's standard of 5.82m (19-2) from 2023.
 
McKenzie finished as the runner-up with a best of 5.74m (18-10), which ranks third in program history. Robinson was also fourth at 5.60m (18-4.5).
 
McKenzie added a third-place showing in the high jump where she cleared 1.66m (5-5.25). Her height cracked UCI's all-time top-10, coming in at No. 6.
 
The Anteaters went 1-2 in the shot put with senior Deandra Tyler defending her Spokane Indoor Challenge title with a toss of 14.87m (48-9.5). Sophomore Nyla Baker also improved her No. 5 mark with a lifetime-best 13.68m (44-10.75) to place second.
 
In the weight throw, Tyler was fifth at 15.51m (50-10.75), while sophomore DeAna Davis was seventh with a personal-best 14.81m (48-7.25).
 
On the track, three 'Eaters placed among the top-five in the 60m hurdle final. Junior Jazzmine Davis led the trio as she claimed runner-up honors in a best of 8.62 seconds, which ranks fourth in program history. Reyna Johnson wasn't far behind in third, clocking a personal-record 8.66 to move up to No. 5 on UC Irvine's all-time charts. Kailah McKenzie had another top-five finish in her collegiate debut, placing fourth and tying for eighth in school history at 8.77 seconds. It was the third race of the morning for both Davis and McKenzie who advanced through both the qualifying and preliminary rounds. Sophomore Lauren Thai (9.00) and junior Jolie Robinson (9.03) also established personal bests in the event.
 
Junior Sameen Andar led the distance crew as she was the top collegiate finisher, and second overall, in the 3000m (9:46.60). In the mile, junior Malia Gay crossed the finish line in 5:08.88 to place third, while freshman Kaia Schmidt was fifth (5:12.39).
 
In the 400m, senior Mia Marquez took fourth in a personal-record 57.68. Her time is tied for eighth among the Anteaters' all-time indoor leaders. Graduate transfer Bailey Moran (59.09) and sophomore Lauren Aquino (59.19) added top-eight showings.
 
Senior Alexis Alexander paced the Anteaters in the 800m where she was seventh out of 32 with a time of 2:15.72.
 
Sophomore Samantha Bartz was the team's top performer in the 60m (11th, 7.67) and 200m (12th, 25.63).  
 
UC Irvine is back in action next Saturday, Jan. 20, when it travels to Albuquerque, New Mexico, for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Invitational.