The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
BSC Icebreaker
Track & Field Has Notable Performances in Season-Opening Meet
12/1/2023 7:11:00 PM | Women's Track & Field
BIRMINGHAM – UAB Track and Field concluded their first season meet at the BSC Icebreaker with numerous collegiate career and season debuts that proved favorable for the Blazers.
With the Green and Gold entering the season with nine top-ten finishes, UAB opened with a solid outing at the Crossplex. In addition to the numerous finishes, the Blazers rewrote the record books with a Freshman record set by Gabby Washington.
"We had a solid overall opening meet. Our goal was to come out and compete hard, regardless of circumstances," said head coach Kurt Thomas. "Our freshmen athletes got to experience and learn many things, and our older athletes got to break the ice on competition."
Opening the meet, the Green and Gold started solid, with sophomore Megan Hamilton Strong and freshman Nessa Duren qualifying for semis in the 60m Hurdles out the gate. Following hurdles, the Blazers' returners appeared in the middle distance, with Regina Harris, Alicia Abalos-Cervera, and Laura Gonzalez finishing within the top eight in the 1000m.
"Our middle-distance athletes ran awesome. Gina Harris ran fast, and Laura and Ali came away with solid races," said Thomas.
Following the performances in the distance, the freshman sprinter corps made immediate impacts, with Jasmine Dereje and Gabby Washington finishing in the top three in the 400m and 200m. Washington rewrote the record books with a 24.72, setting a new All-Time Freshman Indoor Record in the 200 after over a decade-long stand last held by Angel Watson.
In field events, Trinity fellows finished eighth in the pole vault, while Freshman Kira Taylor and Nia Hill tied for seventh in the high jump. "We need to take this momentum and train hard over the holidays to come back ready to be better for the rest of the indoor season."
TOP-TEN FINISHES
Shot Put: Birthe Franck-Petersen (6th)
Pole Vault: Trinity Fellows (8th)
High Jump: Olivia Beard (5th) / Kira Taylor(T-7th) / Nia Hill (T-7th)
1000m: Regina Harris (4th) / Laura G (7th) / Alicia Abalos-Cervera (8th)
400m: Jasmine Dereje (3rd)
200m: Gabby Washington (2nd)**
** All-Time Freshman Record
UP NEXT
The Blazers conclude 2023 and enter 2024 in preparation for the Blazer and Vulcan Invite on January 12 and 13, 2024. You can find Home Meet Information for the Blazer and Vulcan Invite in the Home Meet Information Tab on the Track & Field Website.
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