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Abdulky Claims Title, Owls Lead After Day One
2/23/2024 10:37:00 PM | Men's Track & Field
BIRMINGHAM – The Rice men's track and field team had a great showing in day one of the AAC Indoor Championships, winning one event title while adding four more podium visits and a new school record.
Cal Abdulky grabbed the first-ever AAC event title for the men's team, winning the weight throw with teammate Shaun Kerry close behind in third. Matt Kumar had a second-place showing in the pole vault, while Javier Alatorre finished sixth off a personal best showing.
Ese Amata battled through adversity, finishing second in the high jump. Over in the heptathlon, Vincent Arousell currently leads the pack, while Luke Ivy currently sits sixth.
On the track, Rice's DMR team had a strong showing, finishing second in the race. Gus Gannon broke the school record in the 5000m, previously held by Hociel Landa (2020), while also finishing fourth in the race.
Andrew Murray and Elliot Metcalf had a great preliminary race in the mile, both advancing to the finals, with Murray having the top time in the qualifying round.
Day One Reaction - Head Coach Jon Warren
"Highlights of the day were Cal winning the weight throw and medaling in three other events. The weight throw was the best event of the day, going 1-3 with Cal and Shaun, and Shaun being one centimeter away from second, while having four personal bests himself today. We had Matt Kumar finish second in pole vault and Ese Amata battled today for second. This is a sign of how tough our conference is, Gus Gannon sets a school record in the 5000m and finishes fourth in a spectacular field. Then you have DMR finishing second to end the night, all four legs were great. Andrew had a great leadoff and Connor and Davis almost with PR's in their splits, and then Elliot closed out the relay. Overall, it was a very good day."
RESULTS (Top finishers)
Mile Prelims
1. Andrew Murray – 4:06.16 (advances)
6. Elliot Metcalf – 4:09.31 (advances)
5000m
4. Gus Gannon – 14:19.61 – School Record
DMR
2. Andrew Murray, Connor McGrath, Davis Thames, Elliot Metcalf – 9:53.47
Pole Vault – B
2. Matt Kumar – 4.88m (16-00.00)
6. Javier Alatorre – 4.88m (16-00.00) – Personal Best
High Jump
2. Ese Amata – 2.06m (6-09.00)
Weight Throw
1. Cal Abdulky – 21.03m (69-00.00)
3. Shaun Kerry – 20.47m (67-02.00)
Heptathlon standings (through four events)
1. Vincent Arousell – 3174 points
6. Luke Ivy – 2589 points
TEAM STANDINGS
1. Rice – 47
2. Tulsa – 37
3. South Florida – 36
4. Wichita State – 32
5. UTSA – 26
6. Charlotte – 23.5
7. Memphis – 17
8. North Texas – 11.5
9. East Carolina – 4
UP NEXT
The AAC Indoor Championships will conclude tomorrow in Birmingham.
Cal Abdulky grabbed the first-ever AAC event title for the men's team, winning the weight throw with teammate Shaun Kerry close behind in third. Matt Kumar had a second-place showing in the pole vault, while Javier Alatorre finished sixth off a personal best showing.
Ese Amata battled through adversity, finishing second in the high jump. Over in the heptathlon, Vincent Arousell currently leads the pack, while Luke Ivy currently sits sixth.
On the track, Rice's DMR team had a strong showing, finishing second in the race. Gus Gannon broke the school record in the 5000m, previously held by Hociel Landa (2020), while also finishing fourth in the race.
Andrew Murray and Elliot Metcalf had a great preliminary race in the mile, both advancing to the finals, with Murray having the top time in the qualifying round.
"Highlights of the day were Cal winning the weight throw and medaling in three other events. The weight throw was the best event of the day, going 1-3 with Cal and Shaun, and Shaun being one centimeter away from second, while having four personal bests himself today. We had Matt Kumar finish second in pole vault and Ese Amata battled today for second. This is a sign of how tough our conference is, Gus Gannon sets a school record in the 5000m and finishes fourth in a spectacular field. Then you have DMR finishing second to end the night, all four legs were great. Andrew had a great leadoff and Connor and Davis almost with PR's in their splits, and then Elliot closed out the relay. Overall, it was a very good day."
Mile Prelims
1. Andrew Murray – 4:06.16 (advances)
6. Elliot Metcalf – 4:09.31 (advances)
5000m
4. Gus Gannon – 14:19.61 – School Record
DMR
2. Andrew Murray, Connor McGrath, Davis Thames, Elliot Metcalf – 9:53.47
Pole Vault – B
2. Matt Kumar – 4.88m (16-00.00)
6. Javier Alatorre – 4.88m (16-00.00) – Personal Best
High Jump
2. Ese Amata – 2.06m (6-09.00)
Weight Throw
1. Cal Abdulky – 21.03m (69-00.00)
3. Shaun Kerry – 20.47m (67-02.00)
Heptathlon standings (through four events)
1. Vincent Arousell – 3174 points
6. Luke Ivy – 2589 points
TEAM STANDINGS
1. Rice – 47
2. Tulsa – 37
3. South Florida – 36
4. Wichita State – 32
5. UTSA – 26
6. Charlotte – 23.5
7. Memphis – 17
8. North Texas – 11.5
9. East Carolina – 4
The AAC Indoor Championships will conclude tomorrow in Birmingham.
Players Mentioned
Throws
/ Men's Track & Field
Pole Vault
/ Men's Track & Field
High Jump
/ Men's Track & Field
Multis
/ Men's Track & Field
Distance
/ Men's Track & Field
Decathlon
/ Men's Track & Field
Throws
/ Men's Track & Field
Pole Vault
/ Men's Track & Field
Distance
/ Men's Track & Field
Sprints
/ Men's Track & Field
Distance
/ Men's Track & Field
Distance
/ Men's Track & Field
Distance
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