ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – In a rematch of their 2023 NCAA outdoor long jump duel, Stanford sophomore Alyssa Jones and Texas junior Ackelia Smith again took the top two spots, this time at the New Mexico Collegiate Classic on Friday.
Unlike their back-and-forth showdown in Austin, Smith took the lead from her opening jump and won in 22-5 ¾ (6.85 meters), with Jones jumping a season-best 21-5 ½ (6.54m) for second. Smith and Jones now rank Nos. 1 and 5 in the collegiate indoor season.
In June, Jones broke the U.S. under-20, Pac-12, and Stanford records on her fourth jump of the NCAA Championships. Her leap of 22-6 ¼ (6.86 meters) on her fourth attempt seized the lead, only for Smith to go 22-7 (6.88m) and win on her sixth and final jump.
But Jones wasn't the only Stanford standout in that event. Alaysia Oakes jumped a personal best 20-4 ½ (6.21m) to move up a spot to No. 9 on Stanford's all-time indoor list while placing eighth in the competition.
Though Stanford had only 10 women competing Friday at the Albuquerque Convention Center (and three men), they combined for four additions to Stanford's indoor top-10 list. The biggest jump up the ladder came from freshman Sky Schuller, who cleared 13-3 (4.04m) while placing sixth. That places Schuller at No. 5 all-time indoors and No. 4 among Stanford freshmen. Schuller's jump was the best mark by a Stanford freshman in eight years and came on her first attempt at that height.
The evening also marked the season debut of Stanford's four-time All-American Maya Valmon. In her first race, she ran 24.01 in the invitational 200 for No. 10 at Stanford all-time. Another No. 10 mark came in the invitational 400 by Cydney Wright, who placed seventh in 54.09.
Two-time All-American pole vaulter Garrett Brown, a junior, made his multi-events debut, competing in the seven-event heptathlon. Of the four events on the first day, Brown set personal bests in three of them – the 60 (7.18), shot put (38-8 ¾, 11.80m), and high jump (6-0 1/2, 1.84m). He stands 10th with 2,738 points.
The meet continues Saturday.
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Friday's results
New Mexico Collegiate Classic
At Albuquerque Convention Center
200-meter banked track
Winners and Stanford results
Men
High jump – 1, Brion Stephens (Louisville) 7-3 ¼ (2.22m); 11, James Stevens (Stanford) 6-5 ½ (1.97m).
Long jump – 1, Wayne Pinnock (Arkansas) 27-4 ½ (8.34m); 6, Allan Hunter (Stanford) 23-10 ¾ (7.28m).
Heptathlon (Day 1 of 2) -- 10, Garrett Brown (Stanford) 2,738.
Brown's results (place in event, mark, points):
First day – 60: 7, 7.18 (PB) (819); Long jump: 10, 20-10, 6.35m (664); Shot put: 10, 38-8 ¾, 11.80m (PB) (594); High jump – 9, 6-0 1/2, 1.84m (PB) (661). Total: 2,738.
Women
200 – Invitational: 1, Julien Alfred (Preeminence Sports) 22.16; 23, Maya Valmon (Stanford) 24.01 (No. 10 Stanford AT). Unseeded: 39, Alaysia Oakes (Stanford) 24.92 (PB); 43, Rachel Nelson (Stanford) 25.01.
400 – Invitational: 1, NaAsha Robinson (unat.) 52.62; 7, Cydney Wright (Stanford) 54.09 (No. 10 Stanford AT). Unseeded: 32, Madison Romain (Stanford) 59.63 (PB).
Pole vault – 1, Anicka Newell (unat.) 15-2 ¾ (4.64m); 6, Sky Schuller (Stanford) 13-3 (4.04m) (No. 5 Stanford AT; No. 4 Stanford frosh); 7, Lianne Kistler (Stanford) 12-9 (3.89m); Kelly Kern (Stanford) NH.
Long jump – 1, Ackelia Smith (Texas) 22-5 ¾ (6.85m); 2, Alyssa Jones (Stanford) 21-5 ½ (6.54m); 8, Alaysia Oakes (Stanford) 20-4 ½ (6.21m) (PB; No. 9 Stanford AT); 19, Teagan Zwaanstra (Stanford) 19-0 (5.79m); 40, Sky Schuller (Stanford) 17-3 ½ (5.27m).
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Stanford's Saturday Schedule (all times Pacific)
8:20 a.m.: Men's heptathlon 60 hurdles – Sec. 1, Garrett Brown.
9 a.m.: Men's heptathlon pole vault – Garrett Brown.
9:45 a.m.: Women's 60 unseeded -- Sec. 4, Rachel Nelson; Sec. 5, Maya Valmon; Sec. 8, Alaysia Oakes, Cydney Wright.
10 a.m.: Women's triple jump – Fl. 2, Alaysia Oakes.
10:20 a.m.: Women's 60 hurdles prelims -- Ht. 1, Madison Romain; Ht. 7, Sky Schuller.
10:55 a.m.: Women's 60 invitational prelims -- Ht. 3, Alyssa Jones.
11:45 a.m.: Women's 60 hurdles final.
12:25 p.m.: Men's heptathlon 1,000 – Garrett Brown.
12:35 p.m.: Women's 60 invitational final.
