Six UKTF Women Advance to Quarterfinals

The Kentucky Track and Field women’s team represented their school in the NCAA Division I East Preliminary Championships. Masai Russell was the highlight of the day, earning automatic qualifiers in two hurdles events. Russell won her heat in the 100-meter hurdles, placing first in the overall first round with a time of 12.40 (4.9) to earn the automatic qualifier. In the 400-meter hurdles, Russell emerged victorious once more, her time of 57.57 earning her the final automatic qualifier of the day. Yasmin Brooks also earned an automatic qualifier from the 100-meter hurdles event, placing within the top three of her heat with a time of 13.15 (2.6) on the day.
In addition to the hurdles events, the Wildcats also saw success in other areas. Freshman Anthaya Charlton earned an automatic qualifier in the 100-meter dash, winning her heat with a time of 11.10 (2.1). Karimah Davis placed within the top three of her heat in the 200 meters, earning the final automatic qualifier of the day with a time of 22.67 (2.4). The women’s 800-meter event also saw two Kentucky track and field runners advance to the quarterfinals as DeAnna Martin and Sydney Steely finished 10th and 17th overall, respectively.
The NCAA Division I East Preliminary Championships featured events from multiple universities that were held as a precursor before the main event, the NCAA Division I Championships. The top 48 competitors or teams in each event participated in the East and West Preliminary Championships with the goal of advancing to the finals.
The Kentucky Track and Field women’s team showcased their potential in the East Preliminary Championships, with the six athletes advancing to the quarterfinals showing promise and skill. On Friday, the men’s track and field team also had their first round events with their best performers also advancing to the quarterfinals on Saturday.