Franks & Pedroza Go One, Two in the Men's 1500m

Friday, April 28

Jacksonville, Fla.

All Day

University of North Florida

East Coast Relays

4/29/2023 12:32:00 AM | Men's Track

Event Results

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Leaps and length kept the men grounded on the first day of the East Coast Relays. Jaasiel Torres improved significantly this outdoor season, leaping 2.04m in the opening high jump event. This is the highest he's jump all season and his height placed him seventh among a group of exceptional jumpers.

Macauley Franks and Robert Pedroza both had phenomenal performances in their fight against the finish line. Pedroza led the pace, but Franks punched the clock first, as they both went first and second in the 1500m race.

FINISH LINE

Mac Franks and Robert Pedroza went 1-2 in the men's 1500m.
Ryan Douihech also earned a personal-best time inside the top 10 for the 1500m race.
Jaasiel Torres headlined the group in men's high jump.
Torres notched a seventh place rank, after leaping 2.04m in men's high jump.
Jacob Hippo made significant leaps after hopping 1.96m and clinching a 12th place finish in men's high jump.
Ryan Thomas clocks in 55.63 in the men's 400m hurdles.
Thomas earned a place in fourth for his heat and top 20 overall.

PIGG'S POINTS

"It's kind of a funny time for our kids because they're a little late in the year with finals coming on. The stress level has gone up a little bit. We want track to work for us and be one of those things that's kind of relaxing, but right now the focus is school. Along with that, we had a few kids that have been a little sick this week. And so, it's been a little bit of a rough week for us and I felt like our kids competed well. We've had a few kids who didn't compete. A few kids who had rough days, you know, and I can chalk it up to that. But we also had some kids who did just said fantastic. Mac [Franks] and Robert [Pedroza] both went 1-2 in the 1500m and that was a big event for us. I thought they did a great job. Onix [Ortiz] in the steeple was a big PR and he didn't run indoors. He was hurt. And man, he really has been working hard and it was just thrilling to see that. Eight seconds is a big drop and I was thrilled for him. Really, really happy for him and proud of him. Then in the high jump today, Jaasiel [Torres] and Jacob [Hippo] both did well in the men's high jump. Jaasiel, specifically, had a really good day and I think he'll jump event higher, but that was a really good thing for us."
-- head coach Jeff Pigg