The Highlander track and field team had themselves a day at the Chris Rinne Twilight meet. The meet was named after legendary UCR track and field head coach and former athletics director, Chris Rinne. Coach Rinne passed away in fall 2018.

The meet was notably high in spirits, as former and current athletes paid tribute to Coach Rinne.

Freshman John Ober III embodied the energy-filled day, as he broke his men’s javelin personal record of 55 meters four times in the meet. He finished the day in second place, throwing an impressive 59.18 meters, which set a UCR record.

Ober continued his success with the discus throw, throwing for 48.62 meters and breaking his personal record for the fifth straight tournament.

Junior Aidan Olvera finished on top for the men’s pole vault, posting a height of 4.50 meters.

In the women’s 1,500 meter run, senior Cydney Branch ran a time of 4:35.42, good for a personal best and a second-place finish.

Junior Heinrich Van Niekirk followed suit with a time of 3:59.47, also placing second in the men’s 1,500 meter run. Van Niekirk was beat out by .30 seconds in a nail-biter.

Senior Quinn Williams found his share of success on the day in the men’s 400 meter hurdles, dusting his competition with a time of 52.53.

In the women’s high jump, freshman Purnima Gunarathna set a UCR record with a distance of 1.62 meters. Freshmen Delany Harris, Emily Hawk, Asia Mallory and Kenady Jackson also broke a UCR record in the women’s 400 meter relay, with a time of 47 seconds flat.

The men’s 1,600 meter relay also had a statement day, setting a UCR record time of 3:14.25. The team consisted of Slade Cavallaro, Justin Parker, Tanner Anderson and Quinn Williams.

On a day that was dedicated to Coach Rinne, the Highlander track and field team showed up and showed out, continuing to bring their best and honoring Rinne’s inspirational legacy.