Sara Vaughn Runs Sub-Five Minute Mile at Tyson Invitational
2/13/2009 12:00:00 AM
Feb. 13, 2009
Tyson Invitational Day One Gallery
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The women's track and field team concluded day one of the Tyson Invitational at the Randal Tyson Track Center on Friday afternoon. The Crimson Tide was led by Sara Vaughn's sub-five minute mile.
In the mile, freshman Vaughn broke the five-minute barrier running a personal best time of 4:58.33 to finish in fifth place. Fellow freshman Kelsey Johnson just missed the barrier running a time of 5:00.55 to place ninth.
Freshman Leigh Gilmore and sophomore Meghan Hawkins also set personal bests in the mile running times of 5:09.14 and 5:14.47, respectively.
"The milers all ran very well today," assistant coach Randy Hasenbank said. "Sara continues to make really nice progress as she broke five minutes for the first time. Kelsey is still a little flat but this she's looking and feeling much, much better than she has lately."
Junior Talaya Owens nearly ran another personal best in the 400m dash running a time of 55.81 to finish 15th overall.
Freshman Audra Frimpong finished 11th in the long jump with a leap of 18-04.50. Junior Chealsea Taylor finished 13th jumping a distance of 18-00.50.
In the 60m hurdles, sophomore Kimberley Laing led the way with her time of 8.48, just .08 off her season best. Laing qualified for the consolation finals scheduled for Saturday at 2:35 p.m.
"We had some encouraging things happen today," assistant coach Scott Roberts said. "Kim Laing was able to shake things up and qualify for the finals after nursing a hamstring injury since the first weekend. She should be a factor for the SEC Championships in two weeks."
Elizabeth Wilson threw a seasonal best of 47-03.50 in the 20-lb. weight throw.
"We still have some things that we need to work on before conference," head coach Sandy Fowler said. "I think the girls k now that they need to be more aggressive and more competitive. If we get that done tomorrow then we'll be good to go."
Alabama will return to the Randal Tyson Track Center Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m. for the women's pole vault, which was delayed until the morning. The first running event for the Tide Saturday will be the women's 5,000m scheduled for an 11:25 a.m. start.
Players Mentioned
