MOBILE, Ala. - The University of Mobile Men's and Women's Outdoor Track and Field teams, led by head coach Andy Canegitta, began the 2022 season over the weekend as the Rams competed in the two-day South Alabama Invitational hosted by the University of South Alabama. The meet was held on Mar. 11-12 at the USA Track and Field complex in Mobile.
The Rams found success in the first meet of the season, with the women's team placing second overall out of nine teams and finishing one spot behind NCAA Division I program, South Alabama. The women's team at Mobile scored a total of 96 points in the meet and is coming off winning the SSAC Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championship last year. The team will be honored with a ring ceremony at the UM Softball Field on Wednesday, Mar. 16 between games of the softball program's scheduled doubleheader at 2:00 p.m. CT. On the men's side, Mobile scored 41 points in the South Alabama Invite and placed sixth overall out of 10 teams.
Both the men's and women's team at Mobile beat out NCAA D-I programs Tulane University and the University of New Orleans this weekend while also beating crosstown rival and NCAA D-II program, Spring Hill College. Additionally, the women's team scored 65 points higher than SSAC Conference foe Loyola University (La.).
Women's Outdoor T&F Recap - South Alabama Invite
Individually in the women's meet, Kari Watts was one second away from qualifying for this year's NAIA Outdoor Track and Field National Championship as she placed second overall in the women's 400 meter hurdles event with a time of 1:05.76. Watts was 0.20 seconds away from a first-place victory in the event.
In the women's 200 meters event, the Rams claimed the top three spots out of 15 competitors with Jhanya Quinones earning the first-place victory with a 27.29 second mark. Shawnessy Edwards followed Quinones with a time of 27.30 and Kya Gardner rounded out the top three with a 27.56 second pace.
In the field events, Jalicia Neal managed Mobile's best finish in the South Alabama Invitational with a third-place finish in the women's high jump. Neal's mark in the event sat at 1.58 meters and puts her in the running for the SSAC Women's Field Athlete of the Week honor.
Overall, a total of 19 events were held in the women's portion of the USA Invitational.
Men's Outdoor T&F Recap - South Alabama Invite
Devin Christopher highlighted the men's side of the South Alabama Invitational over the weekend, earning two first-place finishes in the running events. Christopher placed first out of 10 competitors in both the men's 200 and 400 meters events. In the 200 meters, Christopher recorded a time of 23.03 seconds to win the event while recording a time of 50.78 in the men's 400 meters. The sophomore St. Rose, La. native is in line for the SSAC Men's Track Athlete of the Week award following his successful season opener in the South Alabama Invitational.
In the field portion of the meet, Travis McKenzie II earned a top-three finish in the men's triple jump. McKenzie recorded a mark of 12.98 meters, beating out two Spring Hill athletes while finishing behind two South Alabama competitors.
After beginning the 2022 season this past weekend in the South Alabama Invitational, the Rams are set for a dual meet this upcoming weekend against Southeastern Louisiana University, a NCAA Division I program. The dual meet is scheduled for Friday, Mar. 18 in Hammond, La.
About the University of Mobile
The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered liberal arts and sciences institution with a vision of higher education for a higher purpose, founded to honor God by equipping students for their future professions through rigorous academic preparation and spiritual transformation. Core values are: Christ-Centered, Academically-Focused, Student-Devoted and Distinctively-Driven. The university offers on-campus and online bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in over 75 academic programs. Founded in 1961, the University of Mobile is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention and is located 10 miles north of Mobile, Alabama on a campus of over 880 acres.
For information about the University of Mobile, areas of study, admissions and more, visit umobile.edu, connect with UM on social media @univofmobile, or call Enrollment Services at 1.800.WIN.RAMS or 251.442.2222.
