Hociel Landa runs 8:29 to finish 2nd in the 2nd of 3 sections of the 3,000 meters. The 3rd (and fast) section is coming up. We'll see if that time can get any points after the last group.

And .... of course, Landa finished in 9th. Unbelievable. Clay Musial was 10th.

Men (1 event left)

With just the 4x400 relay remaining, Rice has clinched 5th place (as I predicted)

MTSU 133
Charlotte 105
UTSA 92
So. Miss 80
Rice 61
No. Texas 45

Erna Gunnarsdottir was upset in the shot put, finishing 2nd. But, a nice 8th place by Dheryl Batts.

With 4 events left (women):

UTEP 65.5
Charlotte 60
MTSU 58
Rice 53
So. Miss 51.5
FIU 49.5

Rice women should get points in the triple jump and pole vault, but definitely none in the 4 x 400 and likely none in the 3K. We would have won this meet with Khayla Patel, Elsa Racasan and Lourdes Vivas de Lorenzi.

A HUGE upset in the triple jump as Michelle Fokam was defeated by Danielle Spence of UTSA (coached by former Rice All-american Kareem Streete-Thompson, who is an assistant coach at UTSA).

Women (after 14 of 17):

UTEP 71.5
Charlotte 64
Rice 61
MTSU 58
So. Miss 51.5
FIU 49.5
UTSA 44

Disastrous result with zero points in the women's pole vault - I believe that this is the first time that our women have not been on the podium, much less shut out.

On the positive side, Ryann Helmers with 5th place in the 3,000 meters. Bonus points!

With 1 event remaining (women):

UTEP 81.5
Charlotte 75
Rice 65
MTSU 63
So. Miss 56.5
FIU 55.5

Since Rice won't get points in the 4 x400, Rice will, at best, finish 4th unless MTSU drops the baton.

Final (women):

UTEP 89.5
Charlotte 81
MTSU 73
Rice 65

Final (men):

MTSU 143
Charlotte 111
UTSA 96
So. Miss 85
Rice 61

Thanks for the reporting and commentary.

In summary, I predicted that the men would finish 5th with 63 points. They were 5th with 61.

I predicted the women would be 4th with 69 - they were 4th with 65.

FYI, the 2nd place triple jump mark of 13.31 meters (43' 8") of Michelle Fokam was a new Rice school record, breaking the old record set by Claudia Haywood in 1993. She just got defeated by a superb performance.

Thanks WRC. Very informative.

Love your T&F news, commentary, predictions and insights. Many thanks!