Through sheer determination and skill, an impressive five new school records were set by the UT Martin track and field team.

New record holders include: Issac Boles, Khalid White, Abbie Lloyd, Angus Monro and Luke Johnson. These Skyhawks honed their skills and, after applying that to their respective events, were able to break former school records. 

Isaac Boles set his second school record in just as many weeks with an 8 minute 11 second 60m hurdle which landed him 5th in the competition. Abbie Lloyd also set her second record in back-to-back weeks with a 3.10 meter pole vault which landed her in 15th. Khalid White blazed past the school record in the 400m with a 48.40 second time that secured him a 6th place finish. Angus Monro set the school record in the mile with a 4 minute 7.28 second effort that landed him at 6th. Finally, Luke Johnson set the school record with an 8 minute 14.78 second time that landed him at 16th in the 3k.

Other notable performances included David Stuckey with a PR in the mile (4:09.11), Danielle Mudd with a PR in the 3k (10:26.08), Morgan Mitchell with a PR in the 400m (59.20) and Grayson Ballenger with a PR in the long jump (6.46m).

On the weekend of January 17, Vanderbilt University held their annual “Vanderbilt Invitational” event.

The Vanderbilt Invitational invites collegiate-level athletes from different schools across the state of Tennessee to compete in a wide variety of track and field events. This includes events like shot put, the 400 meter sprint and long jump among many other challenging trials. UT Martin’s track and field team was one of the many squads able to participate in this contest.

Whilst the athletes were warming up, the tension in the air was palpable. Both competitor and audience alike were excited for the showcase of physical prowess that was just seconds away from occurring. Each athlete used their time wisely, mentally and physically preparing themselves for the competitions ahead. 

“We just started training block after cross-country. So, we’re kind of raising up to our highest mileage so we’re kind of training through indoor. So it’s been a lot of like intensity. We’re on one of our highest weeks right now. So, this race is kinda coming out a little sore because we’re in our highest training block,” says Sophia Cahill, a freshman Biology major from Lexington, KY, when asked about the training regimen the team underwent going into the Vanderbilt Invitational. 

Although they were soaring high, our Skyhawks faced some tough competition across the board. One such challenger was the University of Tennessee at Knoxville’s Mary Ogwoka.

Not only did the Kenya native fly through her opponents with relative ease, but she even set a new all-time freshman record for the Lady Vols. Observing inspiring competitors, like Ogwoka, from different schools is always a highlight of competing against opposing universities from across the state. 

When asked about her favorite part of travelling to these different schools and facing a multitude of varying athletes, Annie Burns, a freshman education major from Soldotna, AK, passionately responded, “The diversity and seeing a bunch of different competition that are just like, known for being really strong athletes is cool to compete against.”  

The grueling process of which these gladiators compete can sometimes be too much for one to handle. This can result in irritated muscles, shortness of breath, or even vomiting. Some events are harder on the body and mind than others, it just depends on how much one can take before exhaustion. 

When speaking on the varying difficulties of the events, Zoe Jones, a freshman nursing major from Anna, Illinois, stated that, “The 400, physically, is really hard and the 800, but I think mentally the hardest could be the longer distance races because you have to be in it for a longer amount of time.”

Overall, UT Martin’s track and field team gave an outstanding performance at this year’s Vanderbilt Invitational. It was a great opening to what will undoubtedly be a phenomenal track season. The Skyhawks gave just a taste of what they have to offer this time around.