AZUSA, Calif. – In just his second outdoor meet as a Cougar, Tyler Mathews became the second-fastest half-miler in program history on Thursday evening at the Bryan Clay Invitational.
Only Shaquille Walker has run faster than the freshman as Mathews crossed the finish line in 1:46.20 just behind Washington’s Kyle Reinheimer. The time was also a collegiate best in the event for Mesa, Ariz. native .42 seconds faster than he ran at the Husky Classic in February.
Sebastian Fernandez, who Mathews passed for second on the all-time list, finished fourth in his heat and sixth overall as the All-American crossed the finish line in 1:46.79. Carter Cutting was the top finisher for the Cougars in the invitational section of the 800m as the sophomore ran 1:48.53 to finish 11th.
Isaac Hedengren had the fastest time of the day for the Cougars in the 5,000-meters as the sophomore ran a personal best time of 13:41.38 to finish 14th in his heat. Freshman Landon Heemeyer also a career day as the freshman ran 13:44.92 in the third heat finishing 11th.
Pacific Coast Invitational
34 miles down the road at Long Beach State, Danny Bryant picked up a win in the men’s shot put with a mark of 19.16m/62-10.5 on his fifth attempt of the competition. It marks the fourth time this outdoor season that the senior has thrown over 62 feet outdoors. He also finished fourth in his flight and sixth overall in the discus with a toss of 55.94m/183-6 on his first throw.
Austin Cox finished first in his heat and third overall in the pole vault with a clearance of 5.18m/17-0. After needing two attempts to clear his opening height of 5.08m/16-8, Cox only needed one attempt to clear 17-0 for the first time this outdoor season and third time as a Cougar.
Connor Saunders registered another Top 10 finish for the Cougars in the high jump with a clearance of 2.02m /6-7.5.
Up Next
The Cougars will compete at the Bryan Clay Invitational, Mt. SAC Relays and Beach Invitational April 18. Live results and streaming links can be found here.