AMHERST, Mass. – The University of Dayton track and field wrapped up the A-10 Outdoor Championships in fifth place with a total of 76.5 points. The Flyers earned a total of six medals and six top-five school records between Saturday and Sunday. This team showed tremendous growth from the indoor season after finishing in ninth place in the A-10 Indoor Championships in February.

Highlights

• The 4x100 relay team (Lianna Shakoor, Rayana Burns, Lauren Santiago, Jadyn Haywood) made UD history by getting the second-fastest all-time finish with their 46.87 second time.
• Abby Carter earned a bronze medal in the 1500m race with her 4:26.65 PR time. This was her second medal of 2023 as she earned a bronze medal in February in the one-mile run.
• Jadyn Haywood finished the 200m finals in third place with her 24.42 second time. The freshman now has her second career bronze medal after earning one in the 60m dash at the A-10 Indoor Championships.
• In the 5000m race, Abby Carter took second place and earned a silver medal with her 17:00.45 time. This was her second medal of the day.
• Lauren Santiago set the second-best all-time 400m hurdles time in school history with her 1:01.49 finish. This is a PR for Santiago and she finished in fifth place.
• Jayla Pruitt improved to fourth on the all-time triple jump list at UD with her PR 11.63m jump. She made the most of her only successful mark out of six jump attempts.
• Haywood earned the most points by an individual freshman with 11.50 points at the conference championships.
• The Flyers earned 25 PRs over the course of the two days of the championship weekend.

Coach's Quote

Associate Head Coach Aaron Gordon

"We went out and competed well. We only returned 38.5 points from last year's third place team that scored 96.5 points. They stepped up immensely this year, they went out and left it all on the track."

"The throws stepped up big with a one-two-three finish in the javelin. I don't think that has ever happened in the A-10. Casey Bogues claimed her second A-10 title after a redshirt season last year. Also to note, Grace Homan came up big in the shot and discus. Hannah Lindenman put up points in the hammer throw, as did Jillian Yates. Anna Yater also stepped up in the discus to bring home a few points." 

"Rayana Burns' versatility led the way while scoring in the 4x100m relay and high jump. Rayana has been big for us this year as she covers so many areas from high jump to all the relays. Jayla Pruitt set a nice PR in the triple jump as well to finish ninth."

Assistant Coach David Dobson

"I believe the distance group as a whole left the meet excited about their performances. They showed their great desire to compete. Abby and Melissa delivered outstanding efforts in both of their events for the team. Abby's double reflects her discipline and drive for racing. She pushed the race to places others were not willing to go. Melissa's execution of race tactics and guts was tremendous. A fabulous way to go out for this outstanding senior!"


Day One Results

Day Two Results

Heptathlon
10. Raegan Ernst - 4209 PR
16. Evelyn Albers - 3160

(5) Long Jump
13. Raegan Ernst - 4.78m PR
Evelyn Albers - DNF

(6) Javelin
12. Raegan Ernst - 23.70m
Evelyn Albers - DNF

(7) 800m
9. Raegan Ernst - 2:31.64 PR
15. Evelyn Albers - 2:35.73

4x100m Relay
7. Dayton (Lianna Shakoor, Rayana Burns, Lauren Santiago, Jadyn Haywood) - 46.87 - 2nd All-Time at UD

1500m
3. Abby Carter - 4:26.65 PR
12. Angela Braga - 4:40.21 PR
17. Emily Sreenan - 4:42.44
30. Sammie Wells - 4:49.21 PR

100m
4. Jadyn Haywood - 11.89

400m Hurdles
5. Lauren Santiago - 1:01.49 PR - 2nd All-Time at UD

200m
3. Jadyn Haywood - 24.42

5000m
2. Abby Carter - 17:00.45
8. Melissa Weidner - 17:38.75
11. Marissa Pritchett - 17:58.16
24. Emily Sreenan - 18:48.64

4x400m Relay
11. Dayton (Lianna Shakoor, Rayana Burns, Lauren Santiago, Jadyn Haywood) - 3:55.41

Shot Put
5. Grace Homan - 13.53m
10. Anna Yater - 12.47m PR
13. Rebekah Conrad - 11.98m
17. Jillian Yates - 10.92m

Triple Jump
9. Jayla Pruitt - 11.63m PR - 4th All-Time at UD
10. Christierra Cici Williams - 11.56m

Discus Throw
5. Grace Homan - 43.92m
7. Anna Yater - 42.01m PR
10. Rebekah Conrad - 39.72m PR
13. Maggie Hofner - 37.37m

Up Next

• The Flyers who qualify for the NCAA East Preliminary Round will be competing in Jacksonville, Fla. from May 25 through May 27.