The University of Kentucky track & field program started their indoor season off strong at the Indiana Early Bird Meet hosted by Indiana University. The Wildcats had an impressive showing, winning 23 events and setting several personal bests.
Junior Logan Coles made history for UK by setting a new school record in the weight throw, with a distance of 68’04.50”/20.84 meters. Coles surpassed the previous record set in 2017 by David Cline.
The Wildcats also had strong performances in the sprints and hurdles events. In the women’s 60-meter hurdles, Alexis Glasco, Emmi Scales, Maya Anderson, and Camden Bentley all had impressive showings in their debuts for the team. In the men’s 60-meter hurdles, Alex Chukwukelu secured an automatic qualifier in his Wildcat debut.
In the women’s 60-meter dash, Victoria Perrow and Alexis Glasco earned automatic qualifiers, while Miles Jones and Luke Brown did the same in the men’s 60-meter dash.
The Wildcats had success in the distance events as well. Cha’iel Johnson won her first collegiate event in the women’s 600 meters, and Justin Swann claimed victory in the men’s 600 meters. Sydney Steely also had a strong performance, winning the women’s mile.
In the jumps and pole vault events, Payton Phillips and Dalton Shepler both had strong showings, tying for second in the women’s pole vault and taking second in the men’s pole vault, respectively. Morgan Davis and Miles Jones both won their respective long jump events.
The throwers had a successful day as well, with Simi Akinrinsola winning the women’s weight throw and Shelby Wingler winning her first career event in the women’s shot put. Dennis Ohene-Adu had a runner-up finish in the men’s shot put.
Overall, the Wildcats had an impressive showing at the Indiana Early Bird Meet, setting records and securing event wins. They will look to carry this momentum into their next meet, the Rod McCravy Memorial in January.
