Florida Gators
Florida Relays
Longfors Throws One in the Hammer Before Relay Cancelation
Saturday, March 26, 2005 | Women's Track and Field
The final day of the 62nd annual Coca-Cola Florida Relays has been cancelled. The morning session was originally postponed until 1 p.m. with all high school field events being cancelled.
At 12:50 p.m. another strong cell of thunderstorms moved through the Gainesville area and proved to be the last straw as strong storms with lightening are expected for much of the afternoon.
Friday's schedule was also affected by weather with many of the collegiate events being cancelled. The last time a full day of events was cancelled at the Coca-Cola Florida Relays was 1996 when much of Percy Beard Track was under water.
One event was able to be completed despite rainy conditions Saturday as the women's invite hammer was able to start before lightning was spotted in the area. Senior All-American Rachel Longfors (Erhard, Minn) was the top collegiate finisher and third overall with a toss of 54.79m/179-09 in her first and only attempt of the afternoon.
First place honors went to former Gator and American record holder Erin Gilreath who bested her winning throw in the open hammer on Thursday with a season best toss of 67.91m/222-10. Sophomore Jen Wynn (Douglasville, Ga.) finished third among collegians in the competition and fifth overall with a throw of 52.52/172-04.
"We are off to a good start in the hammer," Florida Associate Head Coach Larry Judge said. "We should be able to build on those marks as the season progresses."
The men's track and field team returns to action at the Texas Relays from April 7-9 while the women will be back in action at the Ole Miss Invitational on April 9.
