GAINESVILLE AND DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Jacksonville University track and field team was all over the state of Florida this weekend, with meets at the University of Florida and at Embry-Riddle.
The Dolphins kicked things off at both schools Friday then focused their attention to just UF on Saturday.
Starting on Friday at ERAU, the long-distance runners had solid days, led by
Madeline Weiler in the 3000 meter steeplechase.
Leaping over hurdles and water elements, Weiler finished fourth overall with an 11:52.28 time. Weiler was about 35 seconds shy of placing herself in the JU top-five all time for the event.
In the 5000 meter,
Lana Grelli finished in 15
th place with a time of 18:44.07. A quartet of Dolphins had solid showings in the 1500, led by
Eryn Field who finished 27
th with a time of 5:00.75.
Right behind Field was
Annah Priyadi who finished with a time of 5:00.82 and in 28
th place.
Emily Haney finished in 36
th while
Alexis Holmes finished in 41
st.
In Gainesville Friday,
Cassie Thompson shined with a seventh-place finish in the 200. Cassie earned a time of 23.07 which tied her season-best.
On Saturday, Cassie finished 11
th overall in the 100 with an 11.45 finish, another season-best finish. Sister
Cassidra Thompson also had a solid day, taking home ninth place in the 400 with a time of 52.81, a new personal record time.
Not only was the 52.81 a PR for Cassidra, it also established a new school record for fastest record time in the event.
Also in the 400,
Joanna Rogers finished in 37
th with a 55.10, setting a new season best.
Taking to the hurdles,
Joy Whittington secured 42
nd place with a 14.35 time. In the long jump finals,
Julia Sue-Kam-Ling earned 19
th place.
The 'Phins have the next weekend off before returning to Gainesville for the UF Tom Jones Invitational April 18-19.
COACH'S COMMENTS
"We had another great weekend," head coach
Bambi Brundage said. "Our team is really hitting its stride mid-season. The distance crew ran some solid times down at Embry-Riddle, and our sprinters absolutely crushed it at the Florida Relays. Cassie and Cassidra continue to shine. Cassie matched her best time in the 200 and Cassidra set a new personal record in the 400. It is exciting to see their hard work paying off. We are all looking forward to a well-deserved week off before heading to UF. At UCF, we are hoping to drop some fast relay times. The energy is high and the season is shaping up to be something special."
