ARBONDALE, Ill.- The University of Tennessee at Martin track and field team saw several impressive performances in the season opener in the Saluki Fast Start at the Southern Illinois Recreation Center.
The Skyhawks set two new school records with Lisha McKenzie in the 60 meter hurdles (8.91) and Chadwick Stewart in the 60 meter (6.84). UT Martin nearly swept the podium in the men’s long jump with MJ Jackson placing first and Darius Holland finishing second.
Along with those performances, the Skyhawks landed two newcomers on the podium with Holly Henderson coming in third in the women’s long jump and David Stukey getting third in the men’s mile.
Meet Highlights
· Jackson started off his senior campaign by taking home first place in the long jump with a 7.33 mark.
· Holland was right behind Jackson, falling just shy of his teammate by 0.20 in the long jump. The Skyhawks were the only school with two long jumpers with a +7.0 in the competition.
· McKenzie broke her own school record in the 60m hurdles with a time of 8.91 which was 0.07 seconds better than her previous time established at the Ohio Valley Conference Championship.
· Stewart’s personal record of 6.84 in the 60m was just enough to set a new school best. The previous time was set back in 2019 by Tyreke Sapp who recorded a 6.85 at the OVC Championship.
· Henderson left her mark in her Skyhawk debut with a third place finish and PR in the women’s long jump (5.39).
· The freshman Stukey logged a PR and a third place spot on the podium with a time of 4:29.61 in the one mile run.
UT Martin will return to action in the new year with the Commodore Challenge on Jan. 12-13 in Nashville, Tenn.
