Alabama
Crimson Tide Invitational
Alabama's Bobby Colantonio Jr. Uncorks Huge Throw to Open Crimson Tide Invitational
4/11/2019 10:50:00 PM | Track & Field, Cross Country
In his first home meet wearing the crimson and white of Alabama, the freshman unleashed a huge career-best mark to win the hammer throw
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – That's the way to get things started.
Alabama freshman Bobby Colantonio Jr. blasted a career-best mark on his first attempt to the win the Crimson Tide Invitational hammer throw Thursday night.
"Obviously, I'm super happy for Bobby," UA head coach Dan Waters said. "That was a nice PR in his first throw in an Alabama uniform at home. It was great to see him get the PR and take the win."
Competing in his first home meet in the Sam Bailey Track and Field Stadium, Colantonio Jr. uncorked a throw of 222-06.0 (67.82m) on his first attempt, which stood up to win the event by more than a dozen feet. All six of his throws on the night went over 210 feet, including his last of the night that went for 219-00.0 (66.75m). His new career-best is the best distance by a freshman in the nation this season and ranks in the top-20 overall.
"It was really great to come out here and progress the way that I have been the last couple of weeks," Colantonio Jr. said. "It was nice to get the ball rolling and have a PR here at home and show everyone here what we can do."
In other action, junior Esther Gitahi ran a 4:18.81 in the women's 1,500 meters, taking second place by less than two-tenths of a second.
"It is exciting to run a home meet," Gitahi said. "There are people that know you and they get to cheer you on. It just feels comfortable and it is fun too."
Her time was less than a half second off her season-best of 4:18.40 set at last month's Florida Relays, which ranks her 11th in the nation.
"That was a really nice race for Esther, a great effort," Waters said. "She was just a couple of tenths off her PR."
Senior Alfred Chelanga clocked a 3:51.93 in the 1,500 meters, the equivalent of a sprint for the distance ace, taking sixth place overall and fifth among collegians.
In the women's 5,000 meters, sophomore Brittany Tolson was sixth with a 17:38.74, while freshman Megan Patton was eighth with a personal-best 17:46.59.
After opening with a short slate of events on Thursday night, the Crimson Tide Invitational presented by Beynon Sports gets things started at 9 a.m. CT on Friday, with the women's discus throw. The running events get underway 12 p.m. CT, with women's 4x100-meter relay.
"There were a lot of really good things that happened tonight, and we're excited to get back out here tomorrow," Waters said. "We have a beautiful facility and we enjoy coming out and hosting The Crimson Tide Invitational. Everyone that comes here really enjoys competing at this facility, and for us, we're looking forward to some great performances in our home stadium."
The Tide will also recognize its senior class at 11:30 a.m. on Friday in a ceremony on the track.
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