The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Gladstein Invitational
UAB Track & Field Finishes First Day Of Gladstein Invitational
1/21/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
Jan. 21, 2011
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The UAB track & field team concluded day one of the Gladstein Invitational hosted by Indiana Friday evening.
Sophomore Shakima Knox clocked a personal-record time of 7.59 to place first in the 60-meter prelims and qualify for Saturday's finals. Freshman Kelli Smith also qualified for the finals.
"It's an early season meet and for a lot of girls it was their season opener," UAB assistant track & field coach Tony Houchin said. "We had a lot of good performances today, with a lot of girls running personal-record times. I think it speaks well for the direction that the team is going in and I look forward to seeing what the team will do tomorrow."
Sophomore Thelyssa Katchen ran to a third-place finish in the 400-meter with a time of 58.07. Freshman Kyana White finished not far behind in sixth place with a time of 59.03.
Sophomore Akira McSwain placed fourth in the 60-meter hurdles prelims with a personal-record time of 8.89. McSwain and freshman Renay Ransaw both qualified for Saturday's event finals.
In the mile run, junior Kristina Vaughn timed a 5:13.07 to finish fourth.
Junior Rhiannon Johns ran to a personal-record time of 9:38.43 in the 3,000-meter invitational, and senior Stephanie Gammon clocked 10:15.60 in the 3,000-meter.
Senior Nora Mehl leaped a season-best 1.61 meters (5-03.25) in the high jump to place 10th, while McSwain claimed 11th with 1.56 meters (5-01.25).
Competition will resume Saturday starting at 10 a.m. CT with the women's 200-meter finals. The Green and Gold will compete in seven events on the meet's final day. Live results for the meet can be found on Indiana's website.
