Alabama
Bryan Clay Invitational
Third School Record of Multi-Meet Weekend Falls for Alabama Track and Field on Final Day of Competition
4/16/2023 1:36:00 AM | Track & Field, Cross Country
Samantha Kunza (hammer throw) became the third Crimson Tide student-athlete, in as many days, to rewrite UA’s record book, following the likes of Mercy Chelangat (10,000m | Thursday) and Chris Robinson (400m Hurdles | Friday)
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – On the final day of competition, a third school record was broken for the Alabama track and field program. In the fourth event of the day, Samantha Kunza (hammer throw) became the third Crimson Tide student-athlete, in as many days, to rewrite UA's record book.
The feat comes after Mercy Chelangat opened the multi-meet weekend by breaking her own 10,000-meter record, late Thursday night, in California. A day later, Chris Robinson shortened his 400-meter hurdles record to set the stage for Kunza.
On her second throw of the event, Kunza broke the school record in the women's hammer throw. The O'Fallon, Mo., native finished second in the event, behind a 65.33-meter (214-4) performance. Teammates Taylor Gorum and Chelsea Igberaese also finished in the top five, as the trio now holds the top-three spots on Alabama's all-time top-10 list.
In total, the Crimson Tide amassed 26 top-10 finishes, 11 UA all-time top-10 jumps, three school records and four edits to NCAA lists across meets in California and Florida.
Weekend Look-Back from Head Coach Dan Waters
"What a great weekend for the Crimson Tide. We broke school records and posted some of the top NCAA performances of the season. As always, the goal is to be at our absolute best come NCAAs, and I think we put more pieces of that puzzle together this weekend. As we head home, I'm super happy with the state of our program."
"We're really excited to be at home next week [for the Crimson Tide Invitational] and to compete in front of our friends, families and fans. We look forward to having a great crowd both Friday and Saturday."
Crimson Tide Top Finishes: Tom Jones MemorialÂ
- On the final day of the meet, Alabama recorded 10 top-10 finishes across seven events
- Alan de Falchi started the day with a second-place finish in the men's discus invitational (58.19m | 190-11)
- DeMarco Lemons followed up with a fourth-place finish (51.83m | 170-0) in the men's discus collegiate section
- On the women's side, Taylor Gorum (sixth, 55.18m | 181-0) and Chelsea Igberaese (seventh, 52.14m | 171-0) recorded top-10 finishes in the discus invitational. Gorum threw a PR en route to the finish that kept her at No. 4 all-time in UA history.
- Samantha Kunza broke the school record in the women's hammer after a second-place, 65.33-meter (214-4) throw. Gorum finished third (64.46m | 211-5) and Igberaese finished fifth (63.73m | 209-1) as the trio now holds the top-three marks in program history
- The Crimson Tide finished ninth in the women's 4x100-meter relay (44.51)
- Khaleb McRae clocked 45.21 in the men's 400-meter dash for a third-place finish. The time is now the third-fastest performance in the NCAA, and is also Alabama's fourth-fastest run in program history.
- Alabama clocked 3:03.46 in the men's 4x400-meter relay for a fourth-place finish. The squad (Chris Robinson, McRae, Clayton Elder and Leander Forbes) now holds the sixth-fastest time in UA history.
Crimson Tide Top Finishes: Bryan Clay Invitational
- On the final day of the meet, Alabama recorded three top-10 finishes across five events
- Brady Barton set a new PR (3:49.00) en route to his fifth-place finish in the men's 1,500-meter Open B section
- Flomena Asekol also clocked a new PR, running 4:11.38 for a seventh-place finish in the women's 1,500-meter invite. With the performance, Asekol still holds the third-fastest time in Alabama history
- Eliud Kipsang finished 10th in the men's 1,500-meter invite (3:37.69)
Up Next
- Alabama will return to action next weekend, April 21-22, for its lone home track meet of the season
- Saturday, April 22, will also serve as Senior Day
- The Crimson Tide is inviting its alumni back to the Capstone next weekend for its Alumni Reunion. Alumni can visit RollTide.com for the event's registration, as well as additional information.
- Sunday, April 23, is the track and field program's Need for Speed: Speed and Power Clinic. Registration and additional information can be found on RollTide.com.
For all the latest information on the team, follow AlabamaTrack on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. General athletic news can be found @UA_Athletics on Twitter and Instagram and Alabama Athletics on Facebook.
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