The UCA men and women’s track and field teams set several UCA and personal records at the Crimson Tide Invitational on Friday, April 22, and Saturday, April 23. 

On the first day of the meet, Alex Hanson, a graduate student, set the UCA record in the men’s 1500m, placing 12th with a time of 3:46.69. 

Julian Haessner, a graduate student, also set a UCA record on the first day of the meet, placing fifth in the men’s 5000m with a time of 14:26.52. 

Graduate student Phillipp Haessner got the second-best UCA time in the men’s 5000m, placing eighth with a time of 14:31.23. 

“Overall, Phillipp and I are satisfied that we both could break the school record over 5K,” Julian Haessner said. “It is an amazing moment when you cross the finish line and realize that you ran the fastest time in school history. For the future, a feasible goal for me would be to break the 14-minute mark over 5K.” 

Sophomore Sara Steimel set a personal record for the women’s team on day one in the 5000m with a time of 17:19.04. 

Junior Hunter Henderson set a personal record for the men’s team on day one in the 1500m with a time of 3:51.53. 

On the second day of the meet, the women’s 4×100 relay team of sophomore Ciara Tucker, sophomore Kendelle McCoy, freshman Talayssia Sanders and freshman Laila Cleare set the UCA record, placing fifth with a time of 45.88. 

“My teammates have made me extremely proud,” Tucker said. “It took some time, but I knew the day would come. They showed up and showed out.” 

The men’s 4×100 relay team of junior Kobe Gill, sophomore Tristan LaVan, junior Johnson Adegbite and graduate student Emmanuel Olie set the UCA record, placing fifth with a time of 40.25. 

“The 4×100 was a success in breaking a school record, but we are still on the hunt for our overall goal,” Gill said. “There are a few things we need to touch up on with the relay, and we will be where we truly want to be when that happens.” 

Senior Tyler Rose set a UCA record in the women’s 400m on day two, placing fourth with a time of 55.10. 

Rose also set a personal record in the women’s 200m dash, placing 13th with a time of 24.57. 

“Overall, I felt my performance was great this past weekend,” Rose said. “I would have liked to run faster in my open 400m, but I can’t complain because it is an outdoor PR. I felt good being able to PR in all my events. It was a nice feeling and a confidence booster.” 

For the women’s team, freshman Talayssia Sanders set a personal record in the 400m with a time of 57.131, freshman Zadie St. Louis set a personal record in the 400m with a time of 57.75 and sophomore Ciara Tucker set a personal record in the 100m with a time of 12.38. Sophomore Anna Bommes set a personal record in the 800m with a time of 2:17.57 and freshman Laila Cleare set a personal record in the 200m with a time of 24.80. 

For the men’s team, freshman Jaiden Ventour set a personal record in the 400m with a time of 48.12, senior Shamal Sullivan set a personal record in the 400m with a time of 48.78 and freshman Michaelangelo Bullard set a personal record in the javelin throw with a distance of 65.65m.

Junior Kobe Gill set a personal record in the 200m with a time of 21.81, junior Wesley Suen set a personal record in the 200m with a time of 21.88 and sophomore Alex Townsley set a personal record in the 200m with a time of 24.80.

The Bears will be traveling to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to compete in the Penn Relays from April 28-30.