Skip to navigation Skip to content Skip to footer
Home of the Firebirds
Stacy-Ann Rowe ran impressive times in the 100M and 100M Hurdles despite cold conditions.
Stacy-Ann Rowe ran impressive times in the 100M and 100M Hurdles despite cold conditions.
Posted: Apr 09, 2016

Firebirds Brave Elements to Compete at Frigid Onesty Invitational Meet

Results

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - With conditions more befitting of a cold, November Cross Country meet than an Outdoor meet in April, the Firebirds braved the elements and competed at the University of Virginia Onesty Invitational Meet at Lannigan Field.

 

Despite weather not ideal for sprinting, the Firebirds lined up in the first track event of the day. Sophomore Stacy-Ann Rowe took full advantage of a favorable, but cold, wind, running a quick 14.30 seconds in the 100M hurdles to win her heat convincingly. She would finish 3rd among 19 competitors in a strong field made up of primarily Division I student-athletes, and she was easily the top competitor among Division II competitors. 

 

Next up for the Firebirds was the 100mM, which saw several Firebirds competing. Senior Simone Grant ran her first 100M of the season and finished 8th in Heat 1 and 10th overall with a time of 12.51s. Her team-mates, juniors Jasmine Walker and Brittany Okon, were 1-2 finishers in Heat 2 with times of 12.75s and 12.82s, respectively, and they were 13th and 14th overall. Rowe then returned from the 100M hurdles and competed in Heat 3 of the 100M, finishing 2nd with a time of 12.49s, which placed her 9th overall among 22 competitors. 

 

Action for the Firebirds then picked up in the field events as the High Jump saw freshman Saida Burnsmoore continue her consistent jumping, again clearing 1.65M for 3rd among 10 competitors.

 

A final highlight of the day came in the 400M, where graduate quartermiler Jerily Benjmain placed 3rd in Heat 1 and overall, running a time of 58.41s.

 

According to Head Coach Alton McKenzie, the main objective under conditions the Firebirds faced was to come out healthy – which the Firebirds accomplished.

 

"I was still impressed with our level of competitiveness despite the less than ideal conditions. We were in the same position as everyone else out there trying to stay warm, so best thing to do is try to get the job done as quickly possible, which we did," McKenzie said. "We move on to the next week hoping to have an opportunity to compete at a high level as the Championship portion of our season approaches."

 

The Firebirds will return to Virginia in a week looking for more ideal conditions when they compete at the Hampton Relays on April 16th.