Taylor’s 600 Meters Win Highlights Alabama’s First Day at Indiana Relays

Recap Courtesy of UA Media Relations

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Led by senior Ken Taylor’s win in the 600-meter invitational, Alabama posted impressive numbers in day one at the Indiana University Relays Friday.

Alabama won six of its first seven heats to begin the day, and the Tide carried that momentum into the evening, as Taylor logged his victory in the final hour of the nearly seven hours of action. Taylor, who took home a runner-up finish in the 600 at the Indiana Relays in 2013, won the 600 meters invitational run with a time of 1:18.56, which ranks first in the SEC and fourth in the NCAA this season.

Alabama also had the top finishers in the 60-meter dash trials. Senior Diondre Batson started his 2014 season Friday with a strong showing in the trials of the 60 meters. Batson posted a personal record of 6.68, the top qualifying time for Saturday’s semifinals. Batson’s time ranks seventh in school history, tied with Jeremy Taylor (2000). Senior Akeem Haynes posted a 6.84 to join Batson in the semifinals.

Junior Ramona Burchell will compete in the semifinals of the women’s 60 meters Saturday after clocking the top qualifying time (7.44) Friday. Senior Sarah Thomas (7.55) and freshman Quanesha Burks (7.62)–who finished third and fourth overall, respectively, in the trials–join Burchell in the semifinals.

Freshman Tony Brown made his collegiate debut in the 60-meter hurdles and qualified for the semifinals after winning his heat with a time of 8.19.

In the field events, junior Candicea Bernard finished third in women’s shot put with a mark of 15.04 meters/49 feet, 4 1/4 inches. Freshman Hayden Reed took second place in men’s shot put with a mark of 17.30 meters (56-9.25).

Sophomore Anna Rawles (3.85m/12-7.5) set a PR en route to a runner-up finish in women’s pole vault. In the same event, sophomore Autumn Conn tied for third with a new personal best of 3.75 meters (12-3.50).

The team will return to the Harry Gladstein Fieldhouse Saturday for the final day of the meet. Alabama events Saturday include women’s pole vault invitational, the triple jump and the conclusion of the 60 meters and 60-meter hurdles.

TRACK EVENTS

Men

60-meter hurdles (trials): Freshman Tony Brown won his 60-meter hurdles heat and finished 10th overall with a time of 8.19.

60 meters (trials): Diondre Batson recorded the top time of the day, a personal record of 6.68, which ties him for seventh in UA history and qualifies him for Saturday’s semifinals. Senior Akeem Haynes also qualified for the semifinals with a time of 6.84. Ryan Glosson also competed in the trials and recorded a personal best of 7.14.

Mile: Both Payton Ballard and Jeff Edmondson recorded personal records in the mile. Ballard (4:21.39) placed 18th overall, and Edmondson (4:22.80) finished 22nd.

200 meters invite: Nick Efkamp placed third in the 200 meters invitational with a time of 22.04, and Bryan Arthur (22.56) finished 10th.

600 meters invite: Ken Taylor clocked a 1:18.56 to take first place in the 600 meters invitational. Andrew Harris timed a personal best of 1:20.65 and placed sixth. Alex Jenkins also recorded a PR (1:23.13) en route to a 10th-place finish. Quincy Smith started the competition but was unable to finish due to injury.

Women

60-meter hurdles (trials): Redshirt freshman Passion Gamble (8.85) and sophomore Lacey Dent (9.00) qualified for Saturday’s 60 meter hurdles finals. Dent won heat three and finished 15th, and Gamble placed third in her heat and eighth overall to make the cut of 16 top times.

60 meters (trials): Each of Alabama’s three competitors in the 60-meter dash trials qualified for the semifinals. Ramona Burchell (7.44) won heat No. 7 and clocked the best qualifying time of the day. Sarah Thomas (7.55) and Quanesha Burks (7.62) placed third and fourth overall, respectively, after finishing 1-2 in heat No. 3.

200 meters: Freshman Brianna Sims placed fifth overall after winning her heat with a time of 25.63. Freshman Alex Gholston clocked a 25.72 to finish eighth overall.

600 meters: Freshman Nicole Sassaman made her 600 meters debut, finishing 21st with a time of 1:41.23.

Mile invite: Freshman Hilary Stafford (4:55.32) placed eighth. Other Alabama competitors were sophomore Rebecca Stover (10th; 4:57.66) and sophomore Susie Kemper (12th; 5:03.25).

600 meters invite: Senior Aubrielle Wright made her season debut in the 600 meters with a seventh-place finish in a time of 1:37.20.

FIELD EVENTS

Men

Pole Vault: Sophomore Johnny Stiegler registered a season-best mark (4.65m/15-3) to place ninth.

Shot Put: Freshman Hayden Reed placed second with a mark of 17.30 meters/56 feet, 9.25 inches. Redshirt freshman Nathan Karr threw a mark of 14.82 meters (48-7.50).

Long Jump: Sophomore Nathan Vardaman logged a season-best mark of 6.89 meters (22-7.25) to place sixth. Freshman Ryan Glosson jumped a mark of 5.54 meters (18-2).

Women

High Jump: Lacey Dent tied for 13th with a mark of 1.55 meters/5 feet, 1 inch.

Weight Throw: Candicea Bernard set a season-best mark of 16.75 meters/54 feet, 11 inches.

Pole Vault: Anna Rawles earned a second-place finish in the pole vault with a PR of 3.85 (12-7.50), while Autumn Conn tied for third with a personal best mark of 3.75 meters (12-3.50).

Shot Put: Candicea Bernard placed third with a mark of 15.04 meters (49-4.25) in the shot put.

Ken Taylor (Courtesy UA Media Relations)

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