The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Jace LaCoste Invitational
UAB Track and Field Concludes Action at Jace LaCoste Invitational
5/2/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
Meet Results
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- The UAB track and field team wrapped up action at the Jace LaCoste Invitational at the Mike Sanders Track and Field Facility.
"We had a decent day today," UAB head coach Kurt Thomas said. "We wanted to sharpen up a few events before conference and we did that in some events, but still need to do that before conference in others. Jessica Shelley hurdled well, as did Renay Ransaw and our heptathletes. Kendra Gipson jumped well in the triple jump and Kandiss Briggs ran well in the 100."
Shelley was UAB's highest finisher on Saturday, as she placed second in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 13.81. Saturday's performance was Shelley's second-highest finish in the event this season behind her win at the Battle of I-65 at Samford, as well as her third-fastest time this outdoor season. Ransaw placed fifth in the 100-meter hurdles, clocking an outdoor season-best time of 14.11.
Briggs led the Blazers in sprints on Saturday with a sixth-place finish in the 100-meter dash and a season-best time of 11.94. Ransaw followed with a ninth-place finish in the event with her second season best of the day, clocking a time of 12.08.
Briggs was also the Blazers' top finisher in the 200-meter dash, as she placed sixth behind a time of 24.67. Briggs' Saturday performance was her second-fastest time in the 200 this outdoor season, and the third-best by a Blazer overall.
Autumnn Burnett, who is ranked 39th in the 100-meter hurdles on the NCAA East Qualifying List, continued her strong hurdles campaign with a third-place finish in the 400-meter hurdles and a time of 1:02.80.
UAB's 4x100-meter relay team recorded a third-place finish with a season-best time of 45.91. The foursome of Ransaw, Leila Elliott, Burnett and Briggs shaved nearly half of a second off the previous best, as the Blazers had previously held a best of 46.31 from the Alabama Relays.
"Our 4x1 ran a seasonal best, which was good to see," Thomas said. "We talked with the ladies running it and decided to change some spots on the relay and it really worked out well."
Highlighting performances from the field athletes was Gipson's fifth-place finish in the triple jump, as she matched her second-longest flight of the season with a leap of 12.18m (39-11 1/2).
"We have some things to work on, but lots of girls are competing well now and that's what's important going into the Conference USA meet," Thomas said.
The UAB track and field team returns to action for the Conference USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships from May 14-17 at UTEP's Kidd Field in El Paso, Texas.
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.
