The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
UAB Blazer Invitational
Track and Field Concludes Blazer Invite
1/10/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ---- The UAB track and field team wrapped up competition at the Blazer Invite on Saturday at the Birmingham CrossPlex. A one-two finish by Lucy Crookes and Rebecca Evans in the women’s 3,000-meter run highlighted the Blazers’ day.
“I am really pleased with today,” said head coach Kurt Thomas. “A lot of our girls competed over the past two days. Our 4x400-meter relay team looked good, and we will be relying on Breona Humphrey, Autumnn Burnett, Shelby Barker and Fanta Diabate. They showed us they have what takes to really be competitive. The distance girls combined to have a great 3k. Crookes didn’t run quite as fast as she did earlier this season but still had a good 3k. Evans had a season best, so it was a good way to start the indoor season for her.”
Crookes and Evans went one-two for the second time this season in the 3K. Crookes crossed the line first in 9:54.48 and was the lone competitor to break the 10-minute barrier. Evans improved on her time from the Birmingham Southern Icebreaker on Dec. 5 by nine seconds to take second place. Sarah Livett took sixth with a 10:24.53, as Lauren Scott came in at seventh in 10:38.08.
The Blazers opened its running in the women's mile. Hannah Coffin led UAB with a 5:25.65 to win heat three and finish 14th overall in her indoor season debut. Jenna Wesley took sixth in the second heat, running a time of 5:29.97, as Lauren Pray finished in 5:59.49 in heat three.
Wesley concluded her day in the women's 800 meters as the lone UAB runner competing. She turned in a 2:23.73 to claim second in her heat and 13th overall.
In the women's 200-meter dash, Kandiss Briggs ran the second-fastest time of any Blazer this indoor season, recording a 26.04 to take fifth in the opening heat. Briggs' time would be good enough for 24th place. Jessica Shelley turned a 26.51 200-meter dash to finish third in her heat. Lauren Capone ran a 26.88 in the second meet of her UAB career.
The Blazers finished the invite in the 4x400-meter relay. UAB's 'A' squad of Burnett, Humphrey, Diabate and Barker turned in a time of 3:54.19 to claim the top spot in heat three. The 'B' team took third in the heat, running a 4:12.05.
Off the track, Renay Ransaw was the leading Blazer in the long jump, recording a mark of 4.97m (16-03.75). Barker finished one spot below Ransaw, leaping 4.94m (16-02.50). Both jumps were on Ransaw's and Barker's second attempts.
UAB returns to the track next weekend at the Vanderbilt Invitational in Nashville, Tenn. Competition begins on Friday, with the final day of races concluding on Saturday.
For more information on the UAB track & field team, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_TrackXC). For more on all Blazer sports teams follow the official Twitter account of UAB Athletics (@UABAthletics).
