UK Track & Field Off to Flying Start at Florida Relays

Results | SECN+ Broadcast: Friday | SaturdayGAINESVILLE, Fla. – Kentucky track and field freshman Kianna Gray became the second fastest Wildcat at 200 meters all-time on Thursday at the Florida Relays. She turned in the top performance in a day full of notable ones for the Wildcats on the first day of competition at Florida’s Percy Beard Track.

Gray finished as the top collegian and fifth overall (after the first heat featured four seasoned pros, including Olympic medalists) with a time of 22.86. She bettered the freshman record she set in her season debut two weeks ago. Only Class of 2015er Dezerea Bryant has run faster in a Kentucky uniform. Bryant's top time 22.18, which she used to win the NCAA Championship last June, is the fastest non-altitude time in collegiate history, and No. 2 all-time at any elevation.Gray’s time ranks No. 3 in the NCAA this season, is better than the Olympic Entry Standard and is one of three sub-23 200s run by a collegian woman this season.Destiny Carter placed seventh in the 200m with a personal-best time of 23.10, which is also better than the Olympic entry standard and ranks No. 4 in the NCAA at the moment.Jasmine Mitchell ran a PR 52.94 to finish as the top collegian, No. 5 overall in the 400m. The time makes her the No. 5 performer in UK history. Daje Pugh ran a PR 54.75.Victor Ini-Oluwa Oye placed 14th in the 200m with a wind-aided PR 21.00 (+2.1). Kenshard Hamilton placed third tin Oye’s second in their heat, 17th overall in a  PR 21.09w.David Cline placed seventh in the hammer throw with a mark of 200’3”/61.04m.The meet continues through Saturday. Friday and Saturday’s competition will be broadcast on SEC Network+.Kentucky entered the weekend with two NCAA leaders: Jacob Thomson ran a 29:01.34 10,000 meters last weekend, and Jasmine Quinn’s 13.01 in the 100m hurdles two weeks ago.UK’s women’s team was rated No. 9 nationally to begin the outdoor season in the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association computer rankings.The most up-to-date coverage of the UK track and field program is available via @KentuckyTrack handles on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

THURSDAY RESULTS

Women’s Open 200m

5. Kianna Gray: 22.86 (+0.3) FR

7. Destiny Carter: 23.10 (+1.4) PR 13. Kiah Seymour: 23.42 (+0.3) 18. Donatella Asemota: 23.51 (+1.7) 20. Precious Hitchcock: 23.67 (+1.5) 21. Jacklyn Howell: 23.68 (+1.7) 27. Javianne Oliver: 23.89 (-0.1) 29. Sha’Keela Saunders: 24.03 (-0.1)

Men’s Open 200m

14. Ini-Oluwa Oye: 21.00w (+2.1) 17. Kenshard Hamilton: 21.09w (+2.1) 32. Xavier Jones: 21.51w (+4.4)

Women’s Open 400m

5. Jasmine Mitchell: 52.94 - PR 13. Daje Pugh 54.75 - PR

Men’s Hammer Throw

7. David Cline: 200’3”/61.04m 14. Logan Bryer: 190’1”/57.95m