UK lands many first-place finishes at Kentucky Relays

Cody Ryan

While horses raced at the derby, UK’s track and field team hosted the annual Kentucky Relays Saturday at the UK outdoor track and field complex.

Senior Fred Dorsey landed in first in the men’s long jump on senior day with a distance of 23’11”/7.29m.

Due to the rain, the high jump and pole vault were moved inside to the Nutter Field House. However, pole vaulter Olivia Gruver made her outdoor season debut and vaulted past the competition to clear 13’4.25”/4.07m to place first.

Senior Ian Jones ran the men’s 400-meter dash in 48.66 to win by 0.03 seconds.

Kentucky sophomore Brennan Fields won the 3k steeplechase by a wide margin, crossing the finish line in 9:04.60. Field’s time was 40 seconds faster than the second-place finisher.

UK grad and 2017 NCAA long jump champion Sha’Keela Saunders dominated the long jump landing at 21’3.50”/6.49m.

Celera Barnes finished first in the 100-meter dash with a time of 11.63. Janie O’Conner placed third with the time of 11.83. 

In the men’s hammer throw, David Cline (65.60m) and Logan Bryer (61.97m) tossed their way to a first and second place finish. Cline’s throw was more than 10 meters farther than the third-place finisher, and Bryer’s toss was more than 7 meters farther than third place.

The Kentucky Relays were also host to many high schools. High schools from Lexington and surrounding counties competed at the event.

UK seniors were honored at the event because this is the last event of the regular season.

Kentucky’s track and field team will next head to Knoxville, Tennessee, on May 11-13 to compete in the outdoor SEC Championships.