By Alex Boggis, UT Martin Assistant Sports Information Director
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – The University of Tennessee at Martin track and field program kicked off its 2023 campaign with its indoor debut at the Redhawks Invite hosted by Southeast Missouri on Saturday afternoon.
The Skyhawks began the season with a strong performance as several new faces left their mark while a few school records were rewritten. In total, UT Martin set two new school records in the men’s triple jump and women’s 55m dash while three individuals won events in the triple jump and 55m hurdles (shared).
Notable Performances
- Newcomer Michael Jackson picked up one of two event titles on the day after shattering the program’s triple jump record with a distance of 15.03 meters. The performance bested the previous record by nearly a full meter.
- Junior sprinter Janay Chapman had a big day by setting a new school record in the women’s 55m dash with a time of 7.19 seconds while finishing second in the field. She also won the women’s 200m dash with a time of 25.97 seconds.
- Veteran performer Brady Fry shared an event title in the men’s 55m hurdles after racing to a time of 7.84 seconds
- Freshman Ja’Kobe Ward tied Fry in the men’s 55m hurdles as the Skyhawks both shared the event victory with a time of 7.84 seconds. Ward also recorded a fifth place finish in the men’s 55m finals at 6.62 seconds. His day wasn’t done either as he ran to a third-place finish in the men’s 200m race at 23.45 seconds.
- Sophomore newcomer Lisha McKenzie had an impressive debut by finishing second in the women’s 55m hurdles field with a time of 8.60 seconds.
- Junior Addison Taylor began her season by recording a new PR in the 55m hurdles with a mark of 9.02 seconds during the preliminary round to earn a spot in the finals before ultimately finishing eighth in the field.
- Freshman sprinter Alaina Gordon made an impact in her first collegiate meet by finishing fourth in the women’s 200m with a time of 27.08 seconds. She also came in fifth in the 55m dash with a mark of 7.34 seconds.
- Another freshman, Bryce Sparks finished fourth in the Skyhawk-heavy 55m hurdles final with a time of 8.05 seconds. He also posted a sixth-place time in the 200m at 24.19 seconds.
UT Martin will return to action on Friday, Jan. 20 when traveling to the Bellarmine Open in Louisville, Ky.
Graphic courtesy of UT Martin Sports Information