COMMERCE — UT Tyler All-American Buck Thompson set a school record in the discus, while helping to lead a strong-showing at the Lion Spring Invitational at Texas A&M-Commerce on Saturday.
Thompson also won the shot put competition.
Several UT Tyler athletes finished in first against a strong field of competition, led by Thompson. The junior from Winona had the longest discus throw of the season in NCAA Division III track and field, registering a throw of 55.22 meters, beating the Patriots record by nearly four meters.
Kealey Gaffney finished first in the women’s 100-meter hurdles, finishing with a time of 16.09 seconds, also a UT Tyler record.
Preston Mizner had a time of 54.74 seconds in the men’s 400-meter hurdles, finishing in first place, while Ed Palencia captured first in the javelin with a toss of 57.22 meters.
UT Tyler also won the 3000-meter steeplechase with Nick Huff running the race in 10 minutes and 11.75 seconds.
Maci Lott was second in the women’s javelin with a toss of 30.63 meters, while Ford Noack finished second in men’s 800-meter run with a time of 1:57.89.
Logan Smoak and Madison Vrzalik each were third in the high jump (1.42 meters) and women’s pole vault (2.44 meters), respectively.
The UT Tyler men were third overall, while the ladies finished in fifth-place, both out of eight teams particpating.