Alabama
UTSA Invitational
Alabama Track & Field Posts Four Victories on Final Day of UTSA Invitational
3/17/2018 5:09:00 PM | Track & Field, Cross Country
Crimson Tide captures wins in the men’s and women’s 100 meters and men’s and women’s pole vault on Saturday
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – The Alabama track & field teams wrapped up action at the UTSA Invitational in San Antonio, Texas on Saturday with victories in the men's and women's 100 meters and the men's and women's pole vault.
On the track, sophomore Symone Darius won the women's 100 meters in 11.46 as Alabama took four of the top five spots in the race. Sophomore Takyera Roberson was third in 11.58. Senior Olivia Fotopoulou was fourth in a personal-best 11.59 and freshman Demi Washington was fifth in 11.72. Alabama's quartet of Washington, junior Krystal Sparling, Fotopoulou and Roberson finished second in the 4x100-meter relay in 44.98. Sophomore Katie Funcheon finished fourth in the 400 meters in 55.35. Senior Kaitlin Walker finished seventh in 55.64 and junior Kristyn Williams finished ninth in 55.72.
In women's field events, senior Britainy Smith won the pole vault with a clearance of 12-9 ½ (3.90m). Freshman Colleen Clancy finished second at 12-5 ½ (3.80m). Junior Holly Julifs finished fourth in the discus with a personal-best throw of 164-8 (50.20m) on her first attempt of the competition.
Freshman Jake Spotswood opened the day for the Crimson Tide men with a win in the pole vault with a clearance of 17-3 ½ (5.27m). Spotswood's mark ranks No. 6 all-time in UA history. Junior Will Herrscher finished second at 16-11 ½ (5.17m). In the only other field event for the Tide men, freshman Jarez Parks made his collegiate debut on Saturday and finished third in the discus with a throw of 168-7 (51.38m).
In men's running events, junior Keitavious Walter won the 100 meters in 10.15. Sophomore Alize Ford finished third in a personal-best 10.37. Junior Skyler Bowden finished sixth in the 400 meters in 49.07 while freshman Dylan Scott finished eighth in 50.26 in his collegiate outdoor debut.
"This was a good opener for us," Alabama head coach Dan Waters said following the meet. "Our discus and javelin throwers got a chance to compete for the first time and we had school top-10 marks in the women's javelin on Friday and men's pole vault today and several personal bests. To have those kind of performances in our first outdoor meet is a strong way to kick off the season."
Alabama will be in action in Birmingham next weekend when they compete in the Samford Track Challenge at Samford University on Friday, March 23.
Men's Event Summaries – UTSA Invitational Day 2
Pole Vault – Freshman Jake Spotswood won the pole vault with a clearance of 17-3 ½ (5.27m), which ranks as the sixth-best clearance in school history. Junior Will Herrscher finished second at 16-11 ½ (5.17m).
Alabama Series
Spotswood – 15-11 ¾ (4.87m) (o); 16-3 ½ (4.97m) (o); 16-7 ¾ (5.07m) (o); 16-11 ½ (5.17m) (xxo); 17-3 ½ (5.27m) (xxo); 17-7 ¼ (5.37m) (xxx)
Herrscher – 16-11 ½ (5.17m) (xo); 17-3 ½ (5.27m) (ppp); 17-7 ¼ (5.37m) (xxx)
Lipe – 15-11 ¾ (4.87m) (xxx)
Discus – In his collegiate debut, freshman Jarez Parks finished third in the discus with a throw of 168-7 (51.38m).
Alabama Series
Parks – Foul; 146-10 (44.76m); 168-7 (51.38m); Foul; 161-2 (49.14m); 164-7 (50.18m)
400 Meters – Junior Skyler Bowden finished sixth in the 400 meters in 49.07. Freshman Dylan Scott finished eighth in 50.26 in his collegiate outdoor debut.
100 Meters – Junior Keitavious Walter won the 100 meters in 10.15. Sophomore Alize Ford finished third in a personal-best 10.37.
Women's Event Summaries – UTSA Invitational Day 2
Pole Vault – Senior Britainy Smith won the pole vault with a clearance of 12-9 ½ (3.90m). Freshman Colleen Clancy finished second at 12-5 ½ (3.80m).
Alabama Series
Smith – 12-9 ½ (3.90m) (o); 13-1 ½ (4.00m) (xxx)
Clancy – 12-5 ½ (3.80m) (o); 12-9 ½ (3.90m) (xxx)
Cecil – 10-6 (3.20m) (xxx)
Discus – Junior Holly Julifs finished fourth in the discus with a personal-best throw of 164-8 (50.20m) on her first attempt of the competition.
Alabama Series
Julifs – 164-8 (50.20m); Foul; 154-8 (47.14m); 149-7 (45.61m); Foul; Foul
High Jump – Sophomore Esme Phillips tied for fifth in the high jump with a clearance of 5-1 (1.55m).
Alabama Series
Phillips – 5-1 (1.55m) (o); 5-3 (1.60m) (xxx)
4x100-Meter Relay – Alabama's 4x100-meter relay quartet of freshman Demi Washington, junior Krystal Sparling, senior Olivia Fotopoulou and sophomore Takyera Roberson finished second in 44.98.
400 Meters – Sophomore Katie Funcheon finished fourth in the 400 meters in 55.35. Senior Kaitlin Walker finished seventh in 55.64 and junior Kristyn Williams finished ninth in 55.72.
100 Meters – Sophomore Symone Darius won the 100 meters in 11.46 as Alabama took four of the top five spots in the race. Sophomore Takyera Roberson was third in 11.58. Senior Olivia Fotopoulou was fourth in a personal-best 11.59 and freshman Demi Washington was fifth in 11.72.
UTSA Invitational
Saturday, March 17, 2018
San Antonio, Texas (University of Texas-San Antonio)
Men
100 Meters –1. Keitavious Walter, 10.15; 3. Alize Ford, 10.37 (PB)
400 Meters – 6. Skyler Bowden, 49.07; 8. Dylan Scott, 50.26
Pole Vault – 1. Jake Spotswood, 17-3 ½ (5.27m) (PB); 2. Will Herrscher, 16-11 ½ (5.17m); NH. Ryan Lipe
Discus – 3. Jarez Parks, 168-7
Women
100 Meters – 1. Symone Darius, 11.46; 3. Takyera Roberson, 11.58 (PB); 4. Olivia Fotopoulou, 11.59; 5. Demi Washington, 11.72; 11. Krystal Sparling, 11.91
400 Meters – 4. Katie Funcheon, 55.35; 7. Kaitlin Walker, 55.64; 9. Kristyn Williams, 55.72; 12. Hope Mazi, 56.17 (PB); 14. Caroline Brooks, 1:00.26; 16. Margot Dooley, 1:02.35; 18. Caroline Barlow, 1:03.40Â
4x100-Meter Relay – 2. Alabama A (Demi Washington, Krystal Sparling, Olivia Fotopoulou, Takyera Roberson), 44.98
Pole Vault: 1. Britainy Smith, 12-9 ½ (3.90m); 2. Colleen Clancy, 12-5 ½ (3.80m); NH. Kayla Cecil Â
High Jump – T-5. Esme Phillips, 5-1 (1.55m)
Discus: 4. Holly Julifs, 164-8 (50.20m) (PB)
Alabama Superlatives
School Top-10 Performances
Men
Pole Vault – 6. Jake Spotswood, 17-3 ½ (5.27m)
Women
Javelin – 8. Tianah List, 164-3 (50.07m)
Javelin – 9. Tianah List, 163-6 (49.85m)
Personal Bests
Men
Pole Vault – Jake Spotswood, 17-3 ½ (5.27m)
100 Meters – Alize Ford, 10.37
Women
Discus – Holly Julifs, 164-8 (50.20m)
400 Meters – Hope Mazi, 56.17
100 Meters – Takyera Roberson, 11.58
PB – Personal Best
PSB – Personal Season Best
TSB – Team Season Best
SR – School Record
MR – Meet Record
NM – No mark
NH – No height
DNF – Did not finish
DNS – Did not start
Q – Qualified for final with heat finish
q – Qualified for final with heat time
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Players Mentioned
