Lakehawk Track & Field Competes at RADD Sports College Invite
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (Track & Field) – The Lake-Sumter State College (LSSC) Track & Field teams were back in Gainesville, Fla. over the weekend for the RADD Sports College Invitational.
The Lakehawks continue to make history as this meet marked a milestone for the program, featuring its first indoor Distance Medley Relay (DMR). The team's performance not only turned heads at the event, but also earned the team a national ranking.
Overall, student-athletes that competed in sprints, mid-distance, distance, and field events delivered strong performances, breaking several school records and setting new personal records.
The DMR team of Spencer Palmer (1600M), William Petersen (800M), Thatcher Clarke (1200M), and Kenyon Wells (400M) showcased exceptional teamwork and determination, placing fifth overall in a field of NCAA and NAIA competitors with a time of 10:51.25.
This result currently ranks sixth nationally among National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) track & field athletes. See the rankings here: USTFCCCA InfoZone: Records and Lists ::: USTFCCCA
Head Coach Cristy Snellgroves shared her thoughts on another historic accomplishment for her team, "The relays are always exciting and this DMR team is chasing goals."
"To see our athletes perform at this level in their first indoor relay was incredible. They worked together and showcased how far we've come as a program," said Coach Snellgroves.
Individual performances also stood out throughout Friday's meet. Freshman Jaden Miller, who was named the NJCAA Track & Field Athlete of the Week last week, made it to the finals in the Long Jump.
Miller's mark of 5.34 (17' 6.25") was good for a fifth place finish and ranks 17th nationally. She also broke her previously set school record and PR.
In the High Jump, freshman Aidan Wadsworth cleared the 1.90m (6' 2.75"), setting a personal best and breaking his own school record. Narrowly missing the 1.95m bar, Wadsworth showed immense potential for future competitions.
The 3000M is another new indoor event for Lakehawk track & field. Freshman Thatcher Clarke continued to show his competitive edge, registering a time of 9:29.96 to set a school record for the first time.
The team looks to carry this success into next week's meet. The Lakehawks will travel back to Gainesville, Fla. on Saturday, Feb. 1 for the Legends of Alachua County meet.
Men's Results
Jaabir Taylor, 60M – 7.27 (School Record)
Devonte Hanson, 60M – 7.28
Jaabir Taylor, 200M – 23.85
Kenyon Wells, 400M – 50.56 (School Record)
Spencer Palmer, 600M – 1:23.58
William Petersen, 600M – 1:25.27
Luca Watson, 600M – 1:33.98
Thatcher Clarke, 3000M – 9:29.96
Connor Parrish, 3000M – 9:38.75
Bryce Blalock, 3000M – 9:48.26
Owen Kingery, 3000M – 10:48.54
Aidan Wadsworth, High Jump – 1.90m / 22' 2.5" (PR, School Record)
Devonte Hanson, Long Jump – 6.77m / 22' 2.5"
Luca Watson, Long Jump – 4.88m / 16' 0.25"
Spencer Palmer, William Petersen, Thatcher Clarke, and Kenyon Wells, Distance Medley Relay – 10:51.25
Women's Results
Sydnee Massey, 60M – 8.67 (PR)
Sydnee Massey, 200M – 28.82
Brooke Filetti, 300M – 46.01 (PR, School Record)
Oksanna Smith, 400M – 1:01.95 (PR, School Record)
Sade Lee, 600M – 1:48.8
Jaden Miller, Long Jump – 5.34m / 17' 6.25" (PR, School Record)
Jaden Miller, Triple Jump – 10.56m / 34' 7.75"
Up Next for the Lakehawks
Lakehawk Track & Field will travel to Gainesville, Fla. on Saturday, Feb. 1 for the Legends of Alachua County meet.
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