UAB Vulcan Results

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Lamar men's and women's 3000-meter runners shined on Friday, each taking four spots in the respective top 10s, when the track and field teams competed at the UAB Vulcan Invite hosted at the Birmingham CrossPlex Arena.

Both Verity Ockenden and Jan Lukas Becker took the top spots in the women's and men's 3000m races, respectively. Ockenden marked in at 9:52.29, and was followed by Evelyn Chavez in third place (9:57.39), Megan Flanagan in seventh (10:44.73) and Chaney Atwood in 10th (10:53.91).

"The 3000-meter race was one of the things we needed to get accomplished this weekend," said head coach Trey Clark. "They did what they had to do to get into the faster heats at the conference championships."

Beckercompleted the race with a time of 8:25.56 followed by Alex Dunbar in second (8:25.82), Tobias Riker in third (8:27.85) and Stuart Ferguson in eighth (8:48.62).

Freshman Minttu Hukka took first place in the mile during her first collegiate indoor track meet. Her 4:53.28 time claimed third place in Lamar's record books. Alexandra Sokolova set a new personal record and new Lamar record with her third place finish with an 800-meter mark of 2:11.86.

"The mile was just a chance for Minttu to knock off some of the rust before she competes in the 3000-meter," said Clark. "For her it was a solid day, and a great way to start her indoor career.

"Alexandra continues to get better. Last week she took second place in the 800-meter at A&M, and she beat that this week to get the top spot in our record books," said Clark. "I'm excited about what she going to do for us this season and during her career."

On the men's side, Jared Benford set a personal best in the 60-meter dash during the preliminary round with a 7.01 time, but sent a new best in the finals to claim sixth place on a 6.98 mark, which also took fifth place in the Cardinal record books.

"Jared has worked hard and continues to move forward," said Clark. "He put himself in a good position and is going to keep climbing. He is about to open in the long jump and I'm excited and curious to see how his track experience this year carries over."

Benford also set a personal record in the 200-meter dash with a 22.34 mark, good enough for eighth place.

Aaron Bennett set season best in the 800-meter run on a 1:54.38 time that gave him third place.

Dominique Taylor put together two top 10 performances, ninth in the 200m dash with a 25.49 mark and eighth in the 60-meter hurdles with a 9.07 time. Nicole Alozie finished her day ninth in the long jump with a distance of 17' 8.25''.

"The whole premise behind today was to simulate the Southland Conference Championships and today would have been the prelims," said Clark. "This was the kind of day we needed to have to compete for a title. We needed the experience and our athletes made progress today."

On Saturday, the teams will compete at the same venue in the inaugural UAB Green and Gold Invite, a separate event from Friday's Vulcan Invite.

"We want to replicate the kids' experience," said Clark. "One day is not enough, you have to have two days back-to-back to win the title. I'm excited to see what we can do."