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UB Track & Field Weekly Release

Bulls See Familiar Competition at Penn State Meet

Two new school records and several additional regional qualifying marks were attained by UB’s men’s and women’s track and field athletes as the Bulls competed at Penn State's Sykes-Sabock Challenge Cup on Saturday. The UB women placed ninth among 17 teams with 21 points. The UB men placed 11th in a 13-team field with 24 points. Virginia Tech (139.50) and Ohio State (107) won the women’s and men’s team titles, respectively. Among the familiar foes that the Bulls also faced at the meet were Mid-American Conference rivals Akron, Central Michigan, Western Michigan and Kent State.

Hill Climbs to Top of Long Jump Record List

Fatimah Hill

In the women’s long jump, sophomore Fatimah Hill (Waterport, NY/Lyndonville) broke the record set earlier this season by teammate Patrice Coney (Lyons, NY/Lyons). Hill, UB’s outdoor long jump recordholder, cleared 19-4 (5.89m) to finish behind Penn State's Gayle Hunter (19-9.75, 6.04m). Hill broke Coney’s record of 18-9 (5.71m) by seven inches and earned an ECAC qualification for her effort. Coney set the long jump record on January 20 at the Cornell Upstate Challenge.

Rucker Claims Second Hurdles Record This Season

Reggie Rucker

On the men’s side, senior Reggie Rucker (Rochester, NY/Edison Tech) shattered the record in the 55-meter hurdles. Rucker clocked 7.33 seconds to break Erich Smithson's 2003 mark of 7.73 seconds. Rucker turned in the record breaking performance in the finals as he finished second behind Pittsburgh’s Mike Wray (7.16). Rucker actually set the record twice during the meet, finishing in 7.59 seconds in the preliminary round and lowering that mark to 7.33 seconds in the finals. Rucker now holds both of UB’s sprint hurdle records after also setting the 60-meter hurdles record two weeks ago.

Vance, Villa Continue One-Two Punch in Shot Put

Women’s shot putters Sarah Vance (Lockport, NY/Lockport) and Tina Villa (Saratoga Springs, NY/Saratoga Springs) also scored for the Bulls. Vance placed third in the event with a toss of 51-5.50 (15.68m) to finish behind Virginia Tech throwers Brittany Pryor (54-2.50, 16.52m) and Ciera Ayangbile (51-8.25, 15.75m). Villa, meanwhile, attained a new personal best with her eighth place finish. Villa’s toss of 48-6.75 (14.80m) was more than two feet better than her best mark this season.

Relayers, Joki, Veith Also Turn in Top Performances

Todd Joki

UB’s men’s 4x400-meter relay squad earned an IC4A qualifying mark with their fifth-place overall finish. The foursome of Ezekiel Porter (Rochester, NY/East), John Bauman (Williamsville, NY/Williamsville North), Brian Heim (East Amherst, NY/Williamsville East) and Todd Joki (Saratoga Springs, NY/Schuylerville) finished in 3:17.94, cutting two seconds off of last weekend’s time and earning the regional nod. Joki also picked up an IC4A mark in the long jump at 23-4 (7.11m), finishing sixth overall.

Women’s distance runner Mary Veith (Derby, NY/Lake Shore) also set a personal best and attained an ECAC qualifying mark with her finish in the 3,000-meters. Veith placed seventh in a strong field, clocking in at 9:50.77, in her first race at the distance this season.