The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Tennessee Relays
UAB Track and Field Concludes Day Two at Tennessee Relays
4/10/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
Results | Meet Schedule
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- The UAB track and field team posted seven top-10 finishes on the second of three days of competition at the Tennessee Relays at Tom Black Track at LaPorte Stadium.
"We had a pretty solid day here at Tennessee Relays," UAB head coach Kurt Thomas said. "I am very pleased with the way the ladies came out and competed. Shelby Barker, Ali Meister and Jimmeshia Wilder had solid heptathlon scores, while also identifying some areas we know can get better for C-USA's, which is promising."
Barker finished fifth overall to lead the Blazers in the heptathlon after the final three events took place on Friday. The senior hoisted herself to the top-five finish with a win in the heptathlon's 800-meter run, clocking a time of 2:18.96.
Kelli Smith led the Blazers in field events on Friday, finishing third in the long jump with a leap of 5.93 meters (19-05 1/2 feet). Smith's jump was the longest by any Blazer this outdoor season, and was the Blazers' top long jump since Shanice Leach leapt 5.99 meters at the Vulcan Invite during the indoor season.
Renay Ransaw followed with a seventh-place finish in the long jump, posting a mark of 5.56 meters (18-03 feet).
Autumnn Burnett carved nearly half a second off her previous outdoor season best in the 100-meter hurdles, as she placed third with a personal-best time of 13.79. Burnett followed with a sixth-place finish in the 400-meter hurdles, clocking a time of 1:02.39.
Jessica Shelley joined Burnett in the 100-meter hurdles, finishing sixth with a time of 14.00.
"Autumnn ran a great 100-meter hurdle race and showed what she's capable of, while Jessica showed very good consistency with her race," Thomas said. "Renay was rolling and hit a hurdle, otherwise she was ready for a big PR too. Renay and Kelli performed well in the long jump."
Leila Elliott clocked the best time by any Blazer in the 100-meter dash this outdoor season, as she registered a 13th-place finish with a personal-best time of 11.97. Running in the 200-meter dash as well, Elliott added a 11th-place finish after clocking a time of 24.70.
Following a first-place finish in the 800-meter dash at last weekend's Tiger Track Classic, Jenna Wesley rounded out Blazer performances on Friday with a 10th-place finish in the event and a time of 2:13.75.
"We had some good top-five and top-10 performances, which are getting us ready for the conference championships," Thomas said. "We have a few more meets and weeks to train, get healthy and be ready."
The UAB track and field team will wrap up the Tennessee Relays with the final day of competition on Saturday. The Blazers will get underway at 12:30 p.m. CT with the javelin throw.
For the latest news on Blazer sports, follow the UAB Athletics Twitter account, @UABathletics. For an in-depth look into the UAB Track & Field program, follow @UAB_TrackXC on Twitter.
