Florida Gators
Penn Relays
Women's Track and Field Post Three Regional Qualifying Marks at Day One of Penn Relays
Friday, April 29, 2005 | Women's Track and Field
The third ranked University of Florida women's track and field team posted three NCAA regional qualifying marks Thursday at day one of the Penn Relays in Philadelphia, Pa.
Getting things started on Thursday was sophomore Jennifer Wynn (Douglasville, Ga.) who set a career best while taking home her first collegiate victory in the women's college open hammer throw competition. Her toss of 58.88m/193-2 easily met the regional qualifying standard of 54.15m/177-8 and moves her into seventh all-time in Florida history. The throw also places her fifth in the current Southeastern Conference performance list.
"That was a big PR for Jen," Florida Head Coach Tom Jones said. "She came into the competition seeded 19th and to come away with her first collegiate victory shows what kind of competitor she is."
Shortly after Wynn's triumph in the hammer, the 4x100-meter relay team of freshman Lakecia Ealey (Albany, Ga,), junior All-American Nadine Palmer (Manchester, Jamaica), freshman Traci Ann Henry (Evanston, Ill.), and freshman All-American Natalie Knight (Snellville, Ga.) posted the second fastest collegiate qualifying time clocking in at 44.54 behind SEC foe LSU and ahead of conference rival South Carolina.
The Gators have posted a regional qualifying time every time they have competed in the 4x100m this season and will be seeded second in tomorrow's final set for 1:00 p.m.
"The four by one ran well," Jones said. "You don't have too much time to get ready and I told them that and they responded well."
Also adding a regional marks on Thursday was Dara Altman (Lacrosse, Fla.).who met the regional standard in the pole vault at 3.80m/12-5.50 while taking second place in the women's collegiate open competition. She has now cleared the regional standard in five straight competitions.
The Penn Relays continue tomorrow and conclude Saturday. The women's team will see action in the 100m, the high jump, the discus, and the 4x100m final.
