HOUSTON – The short- and middle-distance runners led the way for the University of St. Thomas men's and women's track teams Thursday at the University of Houston's Spring Break Invitational.

 

The Celts were the lone NCAA Division III school represented at a meet that featured several Division I programs. Jocelyn Olivarez' sixth-place finish in the 800-meter run highlighted the day for the Celt women, as she finished ahead of a Division I athlete.

 

Olivarez finished the 800-meter event with a time of 2 minutes, 29.96 seconds, more than a second ahead of the seventh-place finisher from Prairie View A&M. Samantha Hernandez and Shauncy Ringo also turned in Top 10 performances in the event.

 

In the men's 800-meter run, Jhancarlos Carpio led the Celts with a seventh-place finish, completing the event with a time of 2:01.62. Carlos Hinojosa's time of 2:04.19 was good for a ninth-place finish.

 

The women's 100-meter dash saw UST's Kaela Sawyers finish 11th with a time of 12.71 seconds, and one-hundredth of a second ahead of the next competitor, representing Houston.

 

UST's Bryce McIntyre turned in a memorable performance in the 200-meter dash. His time of 22.47 seconds placed 13th out of 22 competitors; McIntyre turned in faster times than three Division I runners representing Cincinnati, and two runners from Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College.

 

In that same race, UST's Eduardo Waller finished 18th, ahead of two Cincinnati runners and another competitor from Coffeyville.