Roth sets records with 400 gold

   

 Three medals, points trophy, Canadian U23 record in a two hour span

  while DeSousa leaps to conference silver

 

 February 22, 2023

 

 

  

 

By Rob J. Ross 

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Mike Roth is a Canadian athletics record holder.

Roth, a sophomore from St. Thomas at the University of Texas-San Antonio (UTSA), left the NCAA Conference USA indoor track and field championships a triple medalist, winning the men's 400-meter sprint in a school record and personal best (PB) time of 46.42 seconds and taking silver in the 200-meter dash, with another PB of 21.09 seconds.

The St. Thomas native then concluded the two day meet, anchoring the Roadrunners' men's 4x400-meter relay team to a gold medal, winning in 3:12.35 seconds.

With three medals, Roth won the C-USA meet's High Point Scorer award, with 20.5 points, becoming the sixth ever Roadrunner to earn the award at a conference indoor meet and first since 2008.

His 400 time lowers the Canadian U23 men's record, previously held by Olympian Mark Graham, who is friends with current UTSA associate head coach Kareem Streete-Thompson.

"It feels good. Got a national U23 record as well, so it made it really special. That was a goal of mine to beat," Roth said. "I definitely knew I could win a medal, and I was expecting a personal best out of me."

  

Slowed last season with injuries Roth has learned to focus on prevention.

"Definitely more healthy this year. I've been taking better care of my body throughout the year," Roth said. "The key was just not pushing through anything I didn't need too."

Roth won his three medals in just over a two hour span on the afternoon of February 19, first setting the school record in the 400.

A hour later, Roth finished second in the 200 meter final with the Roadrunners' second fastest all-time clocking in the deuce.

Then the graduate of Parkside C.I. joined Noah Rhodes, Logan Masters and Dennis Phillips on the 4x4 to help the Roadrunners to their first league victory since 2014, with a time of 3:12.45, ranking just outside the program's all-time top five.

Mike Roth with UTSA coach Jacqueline Richards at the NCAA C-USA indoor track and field championships. Roth holds the points trophy for winning gold in the men's 400 meter run, 4x400-meter relay and silver in the 200-meter sprint. (photo / UTSA Athletics)

  

"It was an amazing weekend of competition for Roth," UTSA coach Jacqueline Richards said. "He is a crowd pleaser, so when he runs he puts on a show. He is made for indoors. Watching Mike slingshot the corners is awe inspiring. When he makes a move it is lightning fast. It is something to watch. Even in the last event he gave everything he had, because he wanted his relay team to win gold."

Roth helped the Roadrunners tally 136 points, the program's highest total in the C-USA Indoor era and the third-most ever at a conference indoor meet, added Richards.

In the prelims on Saturday, Roth posted the fourth fastest qualifying times, in both events, 21.30 seconds in the 200 and 48.53 seconds in the four.

 

 

DeSousa long jump silver

Tayah DeSousa, with Long Beach Univesity, leaped to a silver medal, in women's long jump, at the NCAA Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) conference indoor track and field championships, Feb. 17-18, in Spokane, Washington.

The 19-year old sophomore from St. Thomas, had a best effort of 5.64 meters, behind teammate Kaitlyn Williams who won with a distance of 5.79 meters, part of a Long Beach sweep of the top five.

On the same day, DeSousa placed fifth, In the women's pentathlon, with 3,362 points.

"It was really nice winning a medal at conference especially since the long jump was just 20 minutes after I finished my 800 (meters) for the pent," DeSousa said. "I was happy I was able to pull it off after such a long day. I think I've definitely grown in my events since last year around this time and I'm excited to complete my first heptathlon this coming outdoor season."

In the pentathlon, DeSousa won long jump (5.63 meters), finished second in the 60-meter hurdles (8.90 sec.), fifth in shot put (9.67m), eighth in high jump (1.56m) and 16th in the 800 meter run (2:46.97).

Then DeSousa returned to the long jump pit for the open women's event.

"I'm honestly not sure how I managed to still jump," laughed DeSousa. "Just kept my legs elevated in between jumps and hoped for the best."

Similar to many multi events athletes, it's the distance running, such as the 800 meter run, that can be daunting.

"My biggest challenge going into my first hep will be the 800. It's always been something that I haven't been very good at. Endurance takes a long time to build, so I think it'll be hard trying to put a lot of time into that while also giving all the time I need to give in my other events."

DeSousa also finished eighth in the women's 60-meter hurdles in 9.08 seconds, after qualifying for the final in 8.63 seconds.

The outdoor schedule for Long Beach begins next month.

 

Tayah DeSousa finished eighth in the women's 60-meter hurdles at the Mountain Pacific conference championships. (photo / James Snook LBSU Athletics)

 

Coles 800 silver

Aiden Coles, of St. Thomas, won silver in the men's 800-meter run, Feb. 19 at the NCAA Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) indoor track and field championships.

The 18-year old freshman at Iona University, in New York State, finished in an indoor best time of one minute and 52.26 seconds (1:52.26).

 

World U20 cross country

Tristan Coles, of St. Thomas, finished 57th, in the U20 men's eight kilometer race, Feb. 17 at the World Athletics cross country championships, in Bathurst, Australia.

The 18-year old who attends Iona University, in New York State, made his international debut representing Canada.

Heath McAllister, of London, led the Canadian team of six runners, placing 32nd.

 

Knelsen silver at Silverston

Hallee Knelsen, of Malahide, finished second, in the women's 600-meter run (1:33.02), with the Western Mustangs, at the Silverston Invitational indoor meet, in Ann Arbour, Michigan, Feb 17.

It's the final meet before the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) indoor track and field championships, Feb 24-25, in Windsor.

Also at Silverston with the Mustangs, Dylen Belanger from St. Thomas, placed seventh, in the men's 400-meter run (52.17 sec.) and Brianna Rand, of Dorchester, 12th, in women's triple jump (11.65m).