T&F: Samaniego, Anunagba Shine on Day One

DENTON, Texas - Chris Samaniego broke his own school record in the men's weight throw, and Karlington Anunagba tied the school record in the men's 60 meters as North Texas Track & Field completed day one of the Texas Tech Open & Multis Friday in Lubbock, Texas.

"This was one of the meets that we really targeted on the schedule to get ready for," director of track & field Carl Sheffield said. "I think we had some good performances in each area."

A week after setting the weight throw school record in at the Sooner Challenge, Samaniego raised the standard by recording a mark of 61-7 (18.77m) to finish in eighth place.

"I think that's going to be a common statement with him this year," Sheffield said. "That record is something he's really going after, and something Coach (Brendon) Kelso wants to improve. It's a good mark, but we want to get it to a higher level. We want to make a mark for our throwers, and he's edging it up to some pretty high standards right now. We're excited about that."

Anunagba clocked a time of 6.69 in round one of the men's 60 meters to tie Keyth Talley's school record set in 2010. Anunagba earned a spot in the semifinals along with Samir Williams (6.75 – personal best), Jared Johnson (6.80) and Davonye Jones (6.86 – personal best). In the semifinals, Anunagba was one of three that recorded a time of 6.73 looking for the eighth and final spot in the finals, but fell just short in the photo finish (6.727 to 6.729).

"It's exciting," Sheffield said. "Karlington had a really good year last year. This year he really committed to training, doing all of the little things a sprinter has to do, and it's starting to show up and pay dividends for him. Breaking 6.70 was going to be a big thing for him.

"The guys' training intensities are so high. On any given day, they are right there beside each other. It makes for a really good training environment. Every week, we're pushing each other and making each other better."

In the women's 60-meter hurdles, Monica Johnson (8.84) and Ayesha Nelson (8.92) advanced to the semifinals before falling short of a spot in the finals.

"They had a really good training week," Sheffield said. "I think they were disappointed that they didn't run faster, but they were pleased with the effort. Monica is going to have a breakout year. She'll have another crack at it before the conference meet."

Jake Parchman closed out the day for the Mean Green with a fourth-place finish in the men's weight throw "B" section, recording a personal-best mark of 55-8 ½ (16.98m).

The meet will conclude on Saturday, beginning with the women's shot put "B" section at 10 a.m. CT. Live results from the Sports Performance Center will be provided by Prime Time Timing, and the action will be streamed live on ESPN+.

"We just want continued improvement," Sheffield said. "Brock Hottel wants to see if he can raise the school record in the pole vault. The throwers will be back in their primary events. We have a lot of events that are right in front of us that we can still do well in."

Be sure to keep an eye on MeanGreenSports.com, follow Mean Green Sports on social media @MeanGreenSports and Mean Green track & field/cross country at @MeanGreenTrack (@meangreentfxc on Instagram) for the latest information.

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Players Mentioned

Karlington Anunagba

Brock Hottel

Jared Johnson

Monica Johnson

Davonye Jones

Ayesha Nelson

Jake Parchman

Chris Samaniego

Samir Williams

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