Young Jumpers Lead Florida at Kentucky Invitational
Saturday, January 17, 2009 | Track and Field
Freshman Florida jumpers Madara Apine (Ikskile, Latvia) and Michelle Jenije (Tallahassee, Fla.) each advanced to the finals of the women's triple jump Friday, with Apine breaking into the school's all-time top-10 in her first collegiate meet, as the Gators opened their 2009 season on Friday at the Kentucky Invitational.
Apine finished fifth overall in the event with a leap of 39-8.50/12.10m, which ranks as the eighth-best mark in that event in school history, while Jenije was seventh in the event with a mark of 39-1/11.91m.
“Today was a good chance for us to see some people compete for the first time,” Florida head coach Mike Holloway said. “We got off to a bit of a rocky start, but it gave us a good opportunity to shake the rust off. We're looking forward to building off this as we head into tomorrow.”
Junior Lauren Menke (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) tied her indoor collegiate personal best in the event with a leap of 11-7.75/3.55m to finish tied for sixth overall.
Freshman Gray Horn (Wapakoneta, Ohio) was seventh in the men's high jump, clearing the bar at a height of 6-4.25/1.94m, while freshman thrower Fidela James (Jacksonville , Fla.) was 12th in the women's weight throw with a toss of 52-1.75/15.89m.
Florida returns to action on Saturday when it competes in the final day of the Kentucky Invitational in the E.J. Nutter Fieldhouse. The day commences at 10:30 a.m. EST with the remainder of the field events, while the running events commence at 12:30 p.m. EST.
The University of Florida is home of the 2009 Southeastern Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships. For all of the latest information on Gator Track and Field, log on two www.GatorZone.com.
KENTUCKY INVITATIONAL DAY ONE (Lexington, Ky. – January 16, 2009)
Women's Triple Jump
5. Madara Apine 39-8.50/12.10m
7. Michelle Jenije 39-1/11.91m
Men's High Jump
T7. Gray Horn – 6-4.25/1.94m
Women's Pole Vault
T6. Lauren Menke – 11-7.75/3.55m
Women's Weight Throw
12. Fidela James – 52-1.75/15.89m
END OF REPORT
