March 15, 2025
IRVINE, Calif. – The UC Irvine men's track & field team picked up three event wins at the Challenge Cup Saturday at Anteater Stadium.
Junior Kenechukwu Okonkwo took top honors in the triple jump. After fouling on his first attempt, Okonkwo recorded a personal-record 15.83 meters (51-11.25). That mark stood as the best of the day and moved him past Mike Powell for second in program history. Junior Jerry Roberts added a lifetime-best 14.64m (48-0.5) to place third in the meet.
Freshman Angel Cordero continued to impress in the 800m where he earned his second win of the season. Cordero clocked a personal-best 1:48.88 to rank fifth in school history. He is the first Anteater to crack the top-10 in the men's 800m since 2017.
Senior Liam Miksic also notched his second javelin victory in as many meets. He topped the field with a toss of 64.10 meters (210-3). Senior Logan Peyton claimed runner-up honors at 61.27m (201-0).
Senior Bryce Bushnell led a trio of 'Eaters in the 100m where he crossed the finish line in a season-best 10.54 seconds to move into a tie for third in program history. Freshman Justin Johnson was right on his heels at 10.56 seconds, which ranks seventh among UCI's all-time leaders.
Women's Distance Race (3/15/2025) Photo credit: @mrpotatojimmy
Sophomore Juan Chantaca ran a lifetime-best 3:53.60 to place second in the 1500m, while senior Zeid Hussain came in fifth at 3:55.71.
Junior Matthew Irvine contributed a runner-up showing in the 400m, logging a personal-best 48.79.
Junior AJ Taylor registered a season-best 14.55 in the 110m hurdles where he was third overall. Senior Ashton Fegel also had a third-place performance in the 400H (54.89).
Garren Haynes (3/15/2025) Photo credit: @mrpotatojimmy
Senior Garren Haynes was UC Irvine's top performer in the long jump where he came in fourth with a season-best 7.25m (23-9.5). Sophomore Alan Vuong tied his PR (2.01m/6-7) to place fifth in the high jump.
Senior Jacob Hawkins was the runner-up in the discus (55.08m/180-8) and took third in the shot put (17.23m/56-6.5). Junior Chimobi Onye chipped in top-eight showings in both events with season-bests of 15.18m (49-9.75) in the shot put and 45.74m (150-0) in the discus.
The men's 4x400 closed out the day with a season-best 3:13.90 for a second-place finish.
Women's 1600m Relay Baton Exchange (3/15/2025) Photo credit: @mrpotatojimmy
UC Irvine will be back in action next Saturday, March 22, at the UCR Spring Classic.
By UC Irvine Sports Information Department
