By Gavin Lapaille
Three University of Louisville Track and Field athletes competed in the AT&T USA Indoor Championship this past weekend at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic center in Boston, Mass. The meet is the concluding event of the USATF’s Indoor Visa Championship Series and is the world’s oldest indoor track championship, dating back to 1888 in New York.
One of the most prestigious meets in the country, the USA Indoor Championship participants routinely feature past Olympians and former NCAA Champions. Some of the prior contestants and record holders include Olympic gold medallists Maurice Greene, Gail Devers, Stacy Dragila, and Michael Johnson.
“The USA Indoor meet gives our kids the opportunity to compete against future and current Olympians and compete at the highest level,” said U of L head coach Ron Mann before the meet.
U of L’s All-American sophomore jumper Tone Belt competed in both the high and long jump for the Cards. Contending with 2004 Olympic silver medallist Matt Hemingway and former NCAA champion Jesse Williams, Belt cleared 7-00.50 in the high jump to take tenth place. In the long jump, Belt leaped 24 feet 11 inches on his last jump to finish fifth in a field that also featured 2005 World Championships winner Brian Johnson.
Senior thrower Emily Turland placed seventh in the weight throw with a heave of 64 feet 8.50 inches, the second furthest mark ever for a U of L thrower. Junior thrower ZeNai Savage fouled on all three of her attempts in the shot put and was disqualified.
Nine-time Olympic gold medallist Carl Lewis served as an honoree official and greeter for the 4×200 Youth Relay.
Up next for the Cards is the Alex Wilson Invitational in South Bend, IN on March 2-3. It will be the final tune up for all athletes before the NCAA Indoor Championships on March 9-10 in Fayetteville, Ark. Some of the key athletes expected to perform well at the Indoor Championships and throughout the spring season are detailed below.
