UNLV’s Natalia Ruiz Breaks 25-Year-Old Track Record

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UNLV athletes demonstrating remarkable performances at the Desert Heat Classic.

News Summary

UNLV track and field senior Natalia Ruiz has shattered a 25-year-old program record in the 3000-meter race with a time of 9:39.34 at the Desert Heat Classic. This outstanding performance not only earned her a second-place finish but also the title of Raising Cane’s Outstanding Rebel of the Week. Ruiz’s new personal best surpasses the previous school record of 9:49.94, showcasing her exceptional talent. Other team members also performed admirably, contributing to a strong showing in both track and field events as the team prepares for the upcoming Mountain West Outdoor Championships.

Las Vegas, NV – UNLV track and field senior Natalia Ruiz has made headlines by breaking a 25-year-old program record in the 3000-meter race. Her time of 9:39.34 not only secured her a second-place finish at the Desert Heat Classic but also earned her the title of Raising Cane’s Outstanding Rebel of the Week, marking both her first recognition of the season and the team’s first award of the year.

The Outstanding Rebel award is given to the student-athlete who achieved the best individual performance in the previous week’s competition, as determined by the UNLV Athletics Strategic Communications department. This recognition underscores Ruiz’s remarkable achievement and highlights her significant contribution to the team’s performance this season.

Ruiz’s new personal best surpasses the previous school record of 9:49.94, which had stood since 2000, held by Katie Barto. Her impressive time now ranks 17th among all Division I student-athletes across the nation. This accomplishment puts Ruiz’s performance in the spotlight, showcasing her formidable talent and dedication as she competes at a high level.

At the Desert Heat Classic, several other team members also made noteworthy contributions. Grace Cunningham excelled in the high jump, clearing a height of 1.79 meters and tying for sixth place overall. Erin Thompson, another talented athlete in the high jump category, achieved a clearance of 1.59 meters, placing her in a tie for 18th. These performances reflect the competitive spirit and strength of the UNLV track and field team.

In the field events, Lauryn Williams set a new personal best of 47.80 meters in the hammer throw, showcasing her skill in the throwing disciplines. Juliana Roberson shone in both the long and triple jump events, registering a personal best of 5.71 meters in the long jump and finishing second in her flight, while placing ninth in the triple jump finals with a mark of 12.25 meters.

On the discus throw, Krishna Jayasankar and Roxene Simpson placed fourth and seventh, delivering throws of 51.25 meters and 50.10 meters, respectively. This strong showing in the field events reflects the depth of talent present in the UNLV track and field program.

Additionally, success was seen among the runners this weekend. Sadia Green led the 400-meter field with a career-best time of 55.74 seconds. In the sprints, Gabriella Caldwell set a personal record of 24.43 seconds in the 200-meter race. Middle-distance runner Autumn Viscardo also performed admirably, recording a personal best of 2:23.79 in the 800 meters, while her teammate Leah Okuda finished the same distance in a time of 2:21.60. Moreover, Claire Rands placed 27th overall in the 1500 meters with a time of 4:47.13.

The UNLV track and field team will take a well-deserved week off before preparing for the Mountain West Outdoor Championships, scheduled to take place in Clovis, California, from May 15-17. As they train for this upcoming championship, they will aim to build on their recent successes and continue improving their performances as the season advances.