Kentucky track and field set new records at Tom Jones Memorial

A+Kentucky+track+and+field+athlete+leads+the+pack+in+the+60+meter+hurdles+event+during+the+Jim+Green+Invitational+meet+on+Saturday%2C+Jan.+12%2C+2019+in+Lexington%2C+Kentucky.+Photo+by+Jordan+Prather+%7C+Staff

A Kentucky track and field athlete leads the pack in the 60 meter hurdles event during the Jim Green Invitational meet on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019 in Lexington, Kentucky. Photo by Jordan Prather | Staff

Ian Alvano, Reporter

After a couple weeks off, Kentucky track and field was back in action and competing in the Tom Jones Memorial. The action began on Friday, with a group of Wildcats taking charge of their respective competitions. 

In the men’s hammer throw, Logan Coles won the competition with a score of 210’1”/64.05. It’s been a dominant couple few weeks for Coles who has now placed on the all-time program list with his display. 

The women’s 200 meter dash was another excellent showing for UKTF. Anthaya Charlton, Victoria Perrow, and Colleen Branch finished with a trio of personal bests. Charlton was the highest finisher, 34th place. 

McLean Griffin and Alex Alston kept the personal bests going on Friday in the 1,500 meters. Griffin recorded a 3:51.02, landing him in 24th place. Alston wasn’t as fast, seeing he finished 20 places higher. 

On Saturday, there was one Wildcat who stood above the rest. 

Freshman, Jordan Anthony was a force to be reckoned with. He improved the freshman men’s 100 meter dash record by eight milliseconds. The record was untouched for more than half a century before Anthony recorded a 10.16 (1.0). 

Anthony continues to prove himself. He’s now improved two freshman records this season. The first being the men’s 60 meter dash record. 

Branch kept her momentum going on Saturday. She earned another personal best, this time competing in the 100 meter dash and finishing with a 11.61 (1.6) time. That’s two personal bests in two different events for Branch in one weekend. 

Next up is the Michael Johnson Invite next weekend, which is hosted by Baylor University. The outdoor season rolls on.