Going the Distance: Track Dawgs at the SEC Indoor Championships

Over the weekend, the Dawgs took part in the SEC Indoor Track and Field championships in beautiful (?) Fayetteville, Arkansas. We have a number of positive developments to detail, but before we do, I need to kick it off with some musical accompaniment. Let’s go:

On Day One, things got off to a roaring start as Denzel Comenentia won his second indoor shot put title. His winning throw of 66 feet, 9 ¾ inches was four feet farther than his nearest competitor. He would go on to place second in the weight throw on Day Two.

In other impressive results from the first day, Keenon Laine broke a 33-year-old school record to take the runner-up spot in the high jump. His 7 foot, 5 ¾ inches broke the 7 foot, 5 and a quarter record previously shared by Laine and Dothel Edwards (which was originally set in 1986). And on the track, in what is becoming something of a pattern, Aliyah Whisby scored a personal best to finish as runner-up in the Pentathlon, with Freshman Sterling Lester finishing in 4th.

On the second day, the Dawgs had numerous opportunities for additional personal glory. First up. Lynna Irby ran a blistering nation-leading time of 52.08 in the 400m (good for 3rd on the world list). Irby’s victory in the 400 was Georgia’s first time capturing the indoor title in the event since 1996.

To finish things off Johannes Erm defended his indoor heptathlon championship and took victory again with a score of 5, 996 points. That’s good for #1 in the NCAA and #9 in the world.

In the team competition, the men slipped a bit to finish in 7th, but the ladies actually improved significantly, to also finish in 7th. What are the chances?

Full results for this past weekend’s events can be found here.

Qualifying Dawgs will next take the track the weekend of March 9 for the NCAA Indoor Championships in beautiful (?) Birmingham, Alabama.

Until then...

GOOOO DAWGS!!!