Yantis and Hackett win titles at Texas State Bobcat Invitational

Bobcat Invitational Day 2 Results

SAN MARCOS, Texas - Many Wildcats had their turn competing Friday at the Bobcat Invitational hosted by Texas State University, including Taylor Yantis who was finishing up day two of her heptathlon. She led all competitors after day one with a total of 2,872 points – a 42-point gap over Abby Hani of Texas State, and held on to win her second heptathlon of the season, scoring 4,632 points to Hani's 4,620.

Yantis won the ASU Spring Break Multi Meet in San Angelo only two weeks ago, and still managed to hold on through the gruelling two-day competition, despite scoring over 200 points lower than her score of 4,866 in San Angelo.

The two juniors battled back and forth throughout day two, as the Texas State athlete took the lead after the long jump, which is the fifth event of seven. Hani leapt out to a first-place distance 18 feet-7.25 inches (5.67 meters) for 750 points, compared to Yantis' fifth-place jump of 16-11.25 (5.16m) for 603 points.

The Phoenix, Ariz. native bounced back in the javelin, throwing the furthest of all competitors. Her throw of 104-6 (31.85m) bested Hani's by over 24 feet (7.21m) and provided a 31-point cushion heading into the 800m. All Yantis had to do in the final event was stay within touch of the Texas State junior, and she was successful, finishing third overall in 2:33.86. Hani won the 800m in 2:32.29, but it wasn't enough to unseat Yantis – a two-time Bobcat Invitational heptathlon champion.

Yantis wasn't the only junior to win at San Marcos Friday. Michaela Hackett matched her twin's performance in the 5K at Texas Relays Thursday night, taking the victory in the 1,500m with a lifetime best mark of 4:36.99. Hackett moved up from fifth to first in the final lap and held off Agnes Sjostrom of SMU down the homestretch who came second in 4:37.72.

In the men's 1,500m, Reid Rivers and Sterlen Paul each dipped under four minutes for the first time ever. Rivers finished fourth – third collegian – in 3:57.46 and Paul was close behind in sixth in a time of 3:58.38.

In the field events, Keaton Hart set a lifetime best in the long jump, leaping out to 23-04.75 (7.13m). He finished sixth, and within a foot of the winner, Isiah Pittman of Stephen F. Austin who jumped 24-03.00 (7.39m).

The final day of the Bobcat Invitational begins at 9 a.m. Saturday with the women's javelin, and track events start at 1 p.m. with the women's 4x100m.

Track and Field Results from Bobcat Invitational
Women's 100m dash
39.) Jessica King - 12.68
48.) Kiah Rayford - 13.78

Men's 400m run
10.) Samuel Garcia - 48.86*

Men's 1500m run
4.) Reid Rivers - 3:57.46*
6.) Sterlen Paul - 3:58.38*

Women's 400m Hurdles
16.) Taylor Yantis - 1:08.23

Men's 400m Hurdles
12.) Lee-Andrew Bloomfield - 54.79

Women's 1500m run
1.) Michaela Hackett - 4:36.99*
14.) Aubrey Till - 4:48.63

Women's 5,000-meter run
13.) Gabby Thompson - 18:17.33*

Men's Long Jump
6.) Keaton Hart - 23-04.75 (7.13m)*

Men's Hammer
7.) Jelani Rainey - 175-02 (53.39m)

Heptathlon
1.) Taylor Yantis – 4,632 points (2,872 first-day points)
100m H – 15.05 (-0.1w) [3rd, 835 points] | HJ – 5-02.25 / 1.58m [1st, 712 points]
SP – 35-2 / 10.72m [2nd, 577 points] | 200m – 26.19 (+3.7w) [4th, 781 points]
LJ – 16-11.25 / 5.16m (1.4w) [5th, 603 points] | JT – 104-6 / 31.85m [1st, 512 points]
800m – 2:33.86 [3rd, 645 points]

Schedule

Players Mentioned

Michaela Hackett

Keaton Hart

Jelani Rainey

Reid Rivers

Taylor Yantis Woods