The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blazers Set To Host C-USA Indoor Championships
2/23/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
Live Results | Live Video | Schedule of Events
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The UAB track and field team will put the finishing touches on its indoor season when the Blazers host the Conference USA Indoor Track and Field Championships on Wednesday and Thursday at the Birmingham CrossPlex.
Competition begins Wednesday, Feb. 24, at 9 a.m. with the heptathlon and will be followed by the pentathlon at 9:15 a.m. Field events are scheduled to start at 3 p.m. with the men’s high jump, while running events kick off at 4 p.m. with the men’s 5000 meters.
Action Thursday opens at 9 a.m. with the final three events of the heptathlon – 60 meters, pole vault and 1000 meters. Field events follow at 11 a.m. with the men’s shot put, and running events begin with the men’s mile run at 1 p.m. The awards presentation is slated for 4:45 p.m.
“This meet is the culmination of our indoor season,” UAB head coach Kurt Thomas said. “Our staff and student-athletes have pointed to this meet since December to prepare to be our best.”
Sophomore Ali Meister heads into the championships as one of the Blazers’ top threats in the pentathlon, having recorded a career-best 3,362 points in the event earlier in the season at the Samford Stand Alone Multi Meet. Fellow sophomore Hannah Hensley is also expected to have a strong pentathlon after registering personal bests in the 60-meter hurdles, high jump and long jump earlier in the year.
“Ali and Hannah have improved each meet, so hopefully we can come away with points right off the bat on Wednesday,” Thomas added.
Middle-distance runner Jenna Wesley has served as UAB’s top runner in the 800 meters this season and looks for another solid outing Wednesday at 5:05 p.m.
“Jenna has run exceptionally well this season and is looking to make the finals,” Thomas said.
Senior distance runner Lucy Crookes has three top-10 finishes this season and will be counted on for more of the same Wednesday at 4:25 p.m. in the 5000 meters.
“Lucy has put together a great season so far, and we are excited to watch her run,” Thomas said. “We expect her to compete and run another great race on the biggest stage.”
The Blazer distance medley relay team also aims for a top-three finish and will race Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. in the final event of day one. The Blazers posted a third-place finish earlier in the season at the CrossPlex at the Vulcan Invite.
“We have traditionally run well in this event at the conference championships, so we are really excited to see how they perform,” Thomas added.
In field events, freshman Aisha Nelson has three top-10 finishes in the high jump this season and looks to improve on her top height of 5-05.25 she recorded at the Vanderbilt Invitational.
“Aisha has been consistent in the high jump all season, and it will take another consistent day Thursday to score in this conference,” Thomas said. “We have a lot of confidence in her that she can.”
Fans can follow the meet by clicking HERE for live results.
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