Utah women’s track and field has record-setting day
SALT LAKE CITY (BVM) – The McCarthy Family Track and Field Complex on the University of Utah’s campus set the stage for a record-breaking day for the Utes on Saturday.
In the first race of the day, Utah’s 4×100 relay of Lauren O’Banion, Jackie Martin, Maya LeBar and Kelise Davis shattered the school and facility record with a blazing time of 45.67. Martin has now been the second leg of each of the three fastest 4×100 relays in school history and, if not for the 2020 outdoor season’s cancelation, she likely would’ve had a top time each year in Salt Lake City.
“Unbelievable day across the board,” head coach Kyle Kepler said post meet. “Our team loves their home facility and they really showed that today with school records and four facility records. I knew when we started the day with a school record in the 4x100m relay it might be a special day and our women did not disappoint.
🚨SCHOOL RECORD ALERT🚨
The Utah 4×100 sets the school/facility record at the Spring Classic with a time of 45.67!!!
THATS HOW YOU START!!! #goutes #utahtfxc pic.twitter.com/6rgzXwod9V
— Utah T&F/XC (@Utah_trackfield) April 10, 2021
“We competed well in every event we entered. PR’s, all-time top-10 marks, and of course the event wins. The weather gods and goddesses also provided us with an amazing day.”
The broken records didn’t stop there for the Utes on Saturday as O’Banion also set a new facility record in the 400m with a mark of 55.14 and moved herself into fifth all-time in the process. Davis would’ve also broken the facility record if it wasn’t for O’Banion, as she finished with the second-fastest 400m time on Saturday (55.22), moving herself into sixth all-time right behind her teammate.
🚨FACILITY RECORD ALERT🚨
Lauren O’Banion TEARS through the McCarthey facility record with a time of 55.14 wire-to-wire! Which conveniently place her 5th all time!!
It’s been a shred fest today folks. Watch here! #goutes #utahtfxc pic.twitter.com/3XKuH97qd5
— Utah T&F/XC (@Utah_trackfield) April 10, 2021
Brooke Manson toppled the facility record in the 800m race with a winning time of 2:06.98 after it stood for seven years. The meet closed with another facility record as the 4×400 relay of Rachel Whipple, Martin, Annie Murdock and Davis ran a time of 3:43.33.
In total, eight facility records were broken on Saturday at the Utah Spring Classic. The Utes hit the road again on Saturday for the Silver State Classic in Las Vegas at Myron Partridge Stadium.
