Tennessee Tech Track & Field Soars at UAB Invite: A Glimpse into the Golden Eagles’ Championship Potential
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Tennessee Tech Track & Field delivered a standout performance at the UAB Green & Gold Invite, signaling a strong trajectory as the team approaches the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) Championships. The meet saw a flurry of personal bests, seven top-five finishes and a school record, highlighting the program’s growing momentum.
Freshman Phenoms Lead the Charge
The Golden Eagles’ success was significantly fueled by their talented freshman class. Grainne Moran shone brightly, securing 2nd place in the 800m with a time of 2:09.93, currently the top time in the OVC and just 0.1 seconds shy of the school record. Kennedi Winbush also made waves, qualifying for the 60m finals with a personal-best time of 7.64 seconds in the prelims and finishing 6th in the 200m with a time of 24.83 seconds. Winbush currently holds the No. 6 OVC time in the 60m and No. 3 in the 200m.
Personal Records and OVC Rankings
Beyond the standout freshmen, numerous athletes achieved personal bests across various events. Rachel Brewer improved her 800m time to 2:21.40. Hannah Little clocked a 7th-place finish in the 400m with a time of 57.15 seconds, while Kyla Joy posted a personal-best time of 59.16 seconds in the same event. Rylee Wells recorded a personal-best mile time of 5:06.92, finishing 7th. In the 3000m, Makaleigh Jessee and Jane Lokiles achieved season-best times of 10:15.16 and 10:16.13 respectively, currently ranking 5th and 6th in the OVC.
Jumping and Pentathlon Excellence
The Golden Eagles’ jumping squad also demonstrated impressive form. Sidnee Stanton earned 3rd place in the long jump with a season-best leap of 5.60m. Madison Johnson improved her high jump to 1.65m, positioning her at No. 6 in the OVC standings. The pentathlon saw Chase Wolfenbarger achieve a personal record score of 2,761, highlighted by four career-bests in the 60m hurdles, shot put, long jump, and 800m. Angela Hoover also set a career-best pentathlon score of 2,632, with personal bests in the 60m hurdles and shot put.
Men’s Team Highlights: A School Record Broken
On the men’s side, Carter Bradford stole the show, winning the mile with a personal-best and school-record time of 4:06. The team also showcased depth in the 3000m, with Luca Gambling, Cruz Hesling, and Nic Chambers finishing 4th, 6th, and 8th respectively, all achieving career-best times.
Looking Ahead: The Vanderbilt Music City Challenge
Tennessee Tech will continue their season at the Vanderbilt Indoor Music City Challenge in Nashville on February 13th and 14th. This meet will serve as a crucial stepping stone as the team prepares for the OVC Championships.
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FAQ
Q: Where was the UAB Green & Gold Invite held?
A: Birmingham, Alabama.
Q: What is the significance of the OVC Championships?
A: The OVC Championships determine the conference champions in each track and field event.
Q: How can I follow Tennessee Tech Track & Field?
A: You can follow them on Facebook, X, and Instagram via the links provided.
