
UCI Competes in Five Events on First Day of Ben Brown Invite
March 08, 2024 | Women's Track & Field
FULLERTON, Calif. - The UC Irvine women's track & field team started the Ben Brown Invitational with the hammer throw, long jump and Distance Carnival Friday at Titan Track Stadium.
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In the hammer, Deandra Tyler opened the competition with a personal-record 53.51 meters (175-6). That distance was good for fourth overall as she came in behind three UCLA throwers. Tyler improved on her No. 6 mark in program history. DeAna Davis was also fifth with a best of 50.93m (167-1), which came on her sixth and final attempt.
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Jolie Robinson, the reigning Big West Field Athlete of the Year, claimed runner-up honors in her first outdoor long jump competition. Robinson's leap of 5.78m (18-11.75) was the second-best of the meet and the top mark among collegiate athletes. Kailah McKenzie was next on the leaderboard at 5.66m (18-7).
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On the track, Sameen Andar led five 'Eaters in the 5000m with a time of 16:20.76. Andar was the first collegiate finisher, and fourth overall in a field of 74 runners. Rebecca Bronstein was next across the line in her first career 5K at 17:52.24. Tea Akiaten (17:55.69), Laura Yontz (18:43.25) and Elizabeth Melcher (19:05.43) all added lifetime bests.
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Kaia Schmidt was UCI's top performer in the 800m, clocking in at 2:13.68 to take fifth. Reina Kabbara was 15th (2:19.05) and Stella Knobbe (2:23.46) ran a PR.
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In the 1500m, Anna Vogtmann placed sixth at 4:30.61. Malia Gay was a couple seconds behind in seventh with a time of 4:32.21. Olivia Liuson notched a season-best 4:49.47 (18th) and Montgomery Allison (4:49.97) also had a top-20 performance.
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UCI returns to Titan Track Stadium tomorrow for the second and final day of the Ben Brown Invitational.
Β
In the hammer, Deandra Tyler opened the competition with a personal-record 53.51 meters (175-6). That distance was good for fourth overall as she came in behind three UCLA throwers. Tyler improved on her No. 6 mark in program history. DeAna Davis was also fifth with a best of 50.93m (167-1), which came on her sixth and final attempt.
Β
Jolie Robinson, the reigning Big West Field Athlete of the Year, claimed runner-up honors in her first outdoor long jump competition. Robinson's leap of 5.78m (18-11.75) was the second-best of the meet and the top mark among collegiate athletes. Kailah McKenzie was next on the leaderboard at 5.66m (18-7).
Β
On the track, Sameen Andar led five 'Eaters in the 5000m with a time of 16:20.76. Andar was the first collegiate finisher, and fourth overall in a field of 74 runners. Rebecca Bronstein was next across the line in her first career 5K at 17:52.24. Tea Akiaten (17:55.69), Laura Yontz (18:43.25) and Elizabeth Melcher (19:05.43) all added lifetime bests.
Β
Kaia Schmidt was UCI's top performer in the 800m, clocking in at 2:13.68 to take fifth. Reina Kabbara was 15th (2:19.05) and Stella Knobbe (2:23.46) ran a PR.
Β
In the 1500m, Anna Vogtmann placed sixth at 4:30.61. Malia Gay was a couple seconds behind in seventh with a time of 4:32.21. Olivia Liuson notched a season-best 4:49.47 (18th) and Montgomery Allison (4:49.97) also had a top-20 performance.
Β
UCI returns to Titan Track Stadium tomorrow for the second and final day of the Ben Brown Invitational.
Players Mentioned
Wednesday, January 21
Tuesday, October 28
Tuesday, March 18
Wednesday, March 05






















