University of North Florida
Florida Relays
OUTDOOR Track & Field: Pedroza Breaks 1500m Program Record at Florida Relays
3/31/2023 10:30:00 PM | Men's Track
Tops Nick Morken's Record Set in 2016
North Florida track & field put forth great runs in its third weekend of outdoor competition. The Ospreys put up a trio of top-three placements in high jump, as well as the 1500m run after super-seeding several contenders.
Aiden Arnold outpaced several contenders in the men's 1500m run to put together a first-place finish in the race. The senior paced in the middle of the pack for the duration of the race and switched gears as he approached the final straightaway to earn a time of 3:46.45.
FINISH LINE
- Jassiel Torres headlined the male high jumpers with an exceptional 2.03m leap.
- The senior cleared the mark in only one attempt to snag third.
- Jacob Hippo was right behind Torres leaping 2.00m in the event.
- Lajoie rounded out the group with a 1.95m mark.
- Aiden Arnold added flames to the track with a leading time of 3:46.45 in the men's 1500m.
- He placed first overall for the men earning a new lifetime mark in the race.
- Jared Vazquez paced exceptionally well in the 1500m race, crunching the event in just 3:47.52.
- The fifth-year senior smashed a third-place rank in the event.
- Robert Pedroza fought hard in the 1500m among some of the top competitors in the nation.
- The junior hit a program-best time of 3:40.69, which tops the old record held by Nick Morken that was set in 2016.
- Mac Franks mirrored a similar performance finishing slightly behind him in sixth.
- Franks earned a new personal-best of 3:41.31 in the race.
- Cole Perry made a collegiate debut in the 3000m steeplechase clocking in a sixth-place finish.
- Onix Ortiz punched a new lifetime mark of 9:22.31 in the men's 3000m steeplechase.
PIGG'S POINTS
"All four of the 1500m guys came to run today. Aiden [Arnold] and Jared [Vazquez] ran great races in heat one. Robert [Pedroza] and Mac [Franks] crushed it in the invitation section. They ran smart and handled the competition well. Robert [Pedroza] put himself in a great spot and never let up. In the end, his talent and preparation shined through. We've had a lot of good 1500m runners and that is a stout record. Mac [Franks] also ran smart and very fast. I couldn't be happier with how our whole group competed. Luke [Clements] ran a big personal-best in the steeplechase and continues to build confidence and strength. All three of those guys ran well. The high jump guys had a Kutcher solid outing. They keep working hard and making progress. It's great to see them continue to make steps. I know we'll continue to see big jumps as the season progresses." -- head coach Jeff Pigg
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UP NEXT
The Ospreys return for the final day of the Florida Relays on Saturday, Apr. 1, in Gainesville, Fla.
Players Mentioned
