The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Birmingham Invitational
Blazers Set Six Indoor PRs At Birmingham Invite
1/26/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
Jan. 26, 2012
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The UAB track and field team set six indoor personal-records as the Blazers wrapped up the final day of competition at the Birmingham Invitational at the Birmingham CrossPlex.
Senior distance runners Kristina Vaughn, Lucy Taylor and Clara Cid all set new personal-records in the mile run. Vaughn placed third with a time of 5:01.41 followed by Taylor in sixth place (5:04.05). Cid logged a personal-best 5:09.81.
Senior Lauren Fayen finished the mile in 5:14.29 and represented UAB in the 800 meters, completing the race in 2:20.59.
Junior Sarah Hudak won the 3,000 meters with a season-best time of 9:38.92. Competing in her first track event for the Green and Gold, freshman Kristie Leybourne crossed the same line in 10:39.51.
"We had another successful meet at the Birmingham Crossplex. Sarah had an awesome race in the 3K," head coach Kurt Thomas said. "Thats a great performance for this time of year and really shows all the hard work shes been putting in."
Redshirt sophomore Angel Watson and sophomore Alexis Bates set personal-bests in the 200 meters. Out of a field of 59 runners, Watson finished in second place with a time of 24.51, while Bates clocked a 25.41 to claim 10th place.
"Angel had a real nice 200m she was second overall," Thomas said. 'She is going to get better over the next few weeks."
Freshmen Shelby Barker and Kendra Gipson took third and fourth place, respectively in the triple jump. Barker jumped 11.34m (37-02.50) and Gipson leaped 11.30m (37-01.00).
Kelli Smith placed fifth in the long jump, landing at 5.60m (18-04.50)
The UAB 4x400-meter relay team comprised of juniors Shakima Knox and Thelyssa Katchen, Sophomore Kyana White and Gipson recorded a time of 4:00.14.
"We need to get some key people healthy, and need to start putting races, jumps and performances together more," Thomas said. "We have a month before the conference championships to put everything together. Im confident we can."
The Blazers will compete next weekend Feb. 3-4 at the Meyo Invitational hosted by Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind.
