Alabama
Desert Heat Classic
Four First-Place Finishes Highlight Regular-Season Finale for Alabama at Desert Heat Classic
4/28/2024 11:49:00 AM | Track & Field, Cross Country
Caelyn Harris (long jump), Allan Kiplagat (steeplechase), Corde Long (400m hurdles) and Brenda Tuwei (3,000m) all finished first in their respective events
TUCSON, Ariz. – Alabama track and field concluded the outdoor regular season at the Desert Heat Classic with four first-place finishes from Corde Long (men's 400-meter hurdles), Allan Kiplagat (men's steeplechase), Caelyn Harris (women's long jump) and Brenda Tuwei (women's 3,000-meter).
Long highlighted the Crimson Tide's regular season finale, grabbing a first-place finish in the men's 400-meter hurdles with the fourth-fastest time in the NCAA this season at 49.26. Shortly thereafter, Kiplagat also returned a first-place finish in the men's steeplechase with a personal-best 9:21.78.
On the women's side, Harris secured a first-place finish of her own in the women's long jump via a personal-best 6.54-meter (21-5.50) jump. She's now tied for the third-farthest jump in program history.
Before the night was over, Tuwei took home a victory in the women's 3,000-meter race, crossing the finish line in 9:44.55. The freshman's time is the seventh-fastest mark in school history.
In total, Alabama would claim four event titles and 27 top-10 finishes while in Tucson, Ariz. Four different athletes also adjusted UA's all-time top-10 lists in the one-day meet.
HEAD COACH DAN WATERS
"Great weekend! With four event titles and an impressive 27 top-10 finishes, our team showcased exceptional talent. Now, with the upcoming week off, we have a fantastic opportunity to hone our skills and refine what we can control."
"This was a significant confidence boost as we gear up for the postseason and the SEC Championships. I'm eagerly anticipating the achievements this team can reach – we'll be prepared for whatever comes our way."
CRIMSON TIDE TOP FINISHES
- Chandler Hayden finished third in the women's hammer throw with a 60.57-meter (198-8) throw
- Caelyn Harris claimed first in the women's long jump with a personal-best 6.54-meter (21-5.50) jump
- Harris is now tied for third in school history
- Ruben Banks (eighth | 63.98m | 209-11) gave the Tide a top-10 finish in the men's hammer throw
- Miracle Ailes took third in the women's high jump with a 1.80-meter (5-10.75) jump
- Amani Heaven (eighth | 48.60m | 159-5) collected a top-10 finish in the women's discus throw
- In the women's shot put, Heaven finished fifth with a 15.43-meter (50-7.50) throw
- Khristian Watson took home an eighth-place finish in the men's high jump with a 2.00-meter (6-6.75) jump
- Holly Foley, in the women's pole vault, finished 10th with a personal-best 3.97-meter (13-0.75) jump
- Foley's mark is the eighth highest in program history
- Nathan Cooper finished eighth in the men's shot put with a 17.08-meter (56-0.50) throw
- In the men's pole vault, Louis Martinez finished fifth with a 5.17m (16-11.50) jump
- On the track, the squad of Na'Taja Ballard, Ariike Elijah, Milan Fields and Caelyn Harris finished sixth in the women's 4x100-meter relay with a time of 44.20
- The performance is the 10th-fastest time in program history
- The squad of Jekovan Rhetta, Tarsis Orogot, Josh Thomas and Matthew Weaver claimed third in the men's 4x100-meter relay after clocking 39.27
- Kate Dickman collected an eighth-place finish in the women's 1,500-meter run with a 4:32.58
- Khaleb McRae (second | 45.54), Chris Robinson (third | 45.63) and Hasani Barr (tenth | 46.56) picked up a trio of top-10 finishes for UA in the men's 400-meter dash
- Tarsis Orogot (sixth | 10.27) and Jekovan Rhetta (tenth | 10.29) secured a pair of top-10 finishes in the men's 100-meter dash
- Brenda Tuwei finished first in the women's 3,000-meter with a 9:44.55
- Her mark is the seventh-fastest in school history
- Hillary Cheruiyot (second | 8:13.44), Dennis Kipruto (third | 8:15.71) and Joel Gardner (seventh | 8:38.95) claimed a trio of top-10 finishes in the men's 3,000-meter race
- Corde Long (first | 49.26) and Clayton Elder (fourth | 50.92) both finished in the top-five in the men's 400-meter hurdles
- Long's time is the fourth-fastest in the NCAA this season
- Ariike Elijah (fifth | 23.50) and Na'Taja Ballard (seventh | 23.55) recorded a pair of top-10 finishes in the women's 200-meter dash
- Elijah's time is a new PR
- Samuel Ogazi (seventh | 20.74) and Matthew Weaver (eighth | 20.81) finished in the top-10 in the men's 200-meter dash
- Weaver's time is a new PR
- Spencer Gudgel returned a seventh-place finish in the men's 800-meter race with a 1:49.07
- Allan Kiplagat finished first in the men's steeplechase with a personal-best 9:21.78
- The men's 4x400-meter relay squad of Jonathan Martin, Matthew Weaver, Clayton Elder and Corde Long finished third behind a 3:07.40 performance
UP NEXT
- Alabama will begin postseason play, May 9-11, at the SEC Championships in Gainesville, Fla.
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Players Mentioned
