The University of Kentucky track and field program showcased their talent at the Rod McCravy Memorial Meet in Louisville, Kentucky, securing two event wins on the final day. Senior Keaton Daniel won the Men’s Pole Vault Invitational, while freshman Ed Bird clinched victory in the Men’s Mile. Overall, the Wildcats claimed six event wins, set two records, and achieved 28 personal bests during the two-day meet.
In the sprints and hurdles events, junior Victoria Perrow impressed by qualifying for the 60M final and finishing second with a time of 7.37 seconds. Freshman Troy Lane also showed promise, qualifying for the 60M final alongside junior Clinton Muunga, and ultimately placing second with a time of 6.78 seconds.
In the Women’s 60H, freshman Emmi Scales delivered an exceptional performance, setting a personal best time of 8.18 seconds in the final to finish in fourth place. Her time tied the freshman record and ranked tied for seventh on the UK all-time performers list. Unfortunately, junior Alexis Glasco, who qualified for the final, did not compete.
Senior Seven Simms, freshman JahQueen McClellan, and senior Mahogany Mobley all produced strong performances in the Women’s 400M, finishing fifth, sixth, and seventh respectively with personal best times. In the Men’s 400M, senior Beck O’Daniel crossed the line in fifth place with a time of 49.88 seconds.
Moving to the relays, Kentucky’s “B” team in the Women’s 4x400M, consisting of senior Reynei Wallace, freshman JahQueen McClelland, freshman Ava Alexander, and senior Seven Simms, placed eighth with a time of 3:48.28. In the Men’s 4x400M, Kentucky’s “A” team, featuring sophomore Tavon Williams, graduate Jahlahnee Watkins, sophomore Brandon Nyandoro, and freshman Alexander Chukwukelu, finished seventh with a time of 3:18.03.
In the distance events, freshman Ed Bird made an impressive debut, winning the Men’s Mile with a time of 4:08.97. Sophomore Cade Byer and freshman Caden Miracle also debuted strongly, finishing eighth and ninth respectively. In the Women’s Mile, freshman Lyric Olson finished 11th in her event debut.
In the jumping events, freshman Ava Alexander set a personal best mark of 39’11.50″/12.18m in the Women’s Triple Jump, earning her a fourth-place finish. In the Men’s Pole Vault Invitational, senior Keaton Daniel secured victory with a clearance of 18’00.50″/5.50m. Sophomore Brayden Jackson also impressed, vaulting a personal best of 16’6″/5.03m to rank 10th on the UK all-time performers list.
Lastly, in the throws events, freshman Shelby Wingler placed eighth in the Women’s Shot Put with a throw of 47’7.25″/14.51m, while senior Dennis Ohene-Adu finished fourth in the Men’s Shot Put with a throw of 58’05.28″/17.81m.
Up next, the Wildcats will divide their squad, with the distance and throws teams heading to the Vanderbilt Invitational, hosted by Vanderbilt University, while the rest of the team will participate in the Corky Classic, hosted by Texas Tech.
