By Gavin Lapaille
The “Black-Belt” combo was strong once again Saturday as the nationally ranked University of Louisville track team competed at the Cardinal InvitaYtional on senior day at Cardinal Park.
Sophomore jumper Andre Black won two events, while fellow sophomore jumper Tone Belt added another victory in the high jump to power the team in its lone home meet of the season.
The Cards finished the meet with 13 event titles while setting 17 NCAA Mideast Regional qualifying marks.
“We get to show off for our hometown fans and that’s what it is all about,” said U of L head coach Ron Mann. “We have a great track and field team and we want the University of Louisville and the fans of Louisville to know what a great opportunity they have to witness some great track and field.”
Black won the triple jump with a regional qualifying jump of 50 feet, 6.25 inches and finished just ahead of Belt in the long jump with another regional qualifying leap of 25 feet, 8 1/4 inches.
Belt earned two regional qualifying marks of his own, finishing second in the long jump and first in the high jump after clearing the bar at six feet, ten inches.
“Coach Jacoby and I have been working hard and he told me today should be my day in the long jump and the triple, but I had a long day,” said Black, who also competed in the 200 meter dash and the 4×100 relay. “We’ve been working real hard in practice and things are definitely starting to click.”
Senior throwers Brandon Cook and Arthur Turland finished 1-2 in the discus’ as Cook won the event with a regional qualifying mark of 181-09 with Turland finishing just behind after his own regional qualifying mark of 179-10. Cook and Turland again earned regional qualifying marks in the hammer throw as Turland hit 199-04 to finish in fourth while Cook threw 185-11 to finish sixth.
Senior distance runner Wesley Korir won the 1500 meter with a new regional qualifying time of 3:45.57.
Sophomore jumper Rudon Bastian earned a regional qualifying mark in the long jump and sophomore thrower Steven Hnat added another regional qualifying mark for the men in the shot put.
Junior thrower ZeNai Savage led the women’s team with victories in the shot put and hammer throw while fellow junior thrower Holly Gribel came out victorious in the javelin. Senior thrower Emily Turland finished just behind Savage with a regional qualifying toss in the hammer.
Senior sprinter LaShondra Durias and freshmen sprinter Elizabeth Slettum swept the sprint races for the women’s team in the 100 and 200 dash respectively. Durias crossed the line in 11.86 while Slettum finished in a regional qualifying time of 23.89. Durias and Slettum also teamed with freshmen Theresa Lewis and sophomore Heather Trimiew to win the 4x100dash with a new regional qualifying time of 45.48.
Freshmen distance runner Tarah McKay won the 800 in 2:13.18 and broke regional qualifying time in the 1500, crossing the line in 4:25.00 to finish second. Sophomore jumper Sedi Forde took home the triple jump crown with a regional qualifying mark of 40-9 1/2
Next week, the Cards will have athletes competing in the Penn Relays in Philadelphia, Pa., and the Drake Relays in Des Monies, Iowa.
