GAINESVILLE, Fla. - The University of Mobile Indoor Track & Field teams competed at the Celebration Pointe Classic on Friday, Feb. 7, held at the Alachua County Events Center in Gainesville, Florida. The annual meet in central Florida attracted a diverse range of collegiate teams, including Ave Maria (Fla.), Bethune-Cookman (Fla.), Embry-Riddle (Ari.), Flagler (Fla.), Florida, and many others, fostering a competitive environment that highlighted emerging talents.
For Mobile, Joey Jones from the men's team highlighted the day for the Rams, delivering a standout performance by setting a new school record in the men's 3000 meters event. Jones completed the race in 8:52.59, surpassing his previous personal best and securing a significant milestone for the University of Mobile Indoor Track & Field program. Additionally, Jones' time marks a progression from his earlier performance at the Samford Indoor Open on Jan. 18, where he finished the 3000 meters in 8:52.59. In addition to Jones's record-breaking run, several other Rams showcased commendable efforts at the Celebration Pointe Classic.
Men's Highlights
From the men's team, Stephen Mixon placed eighth overall in the men's 60 meters, clocking a preliminary time of 6.92 seconds. Meanwhile, Logan Pack competed in both the men's 200 and 400 meters, recording times of 24.02 seconds and 56.53 seconds, respectively. Like Pack, Johnathan Turner also competed in two track events, participating in the men's 400 and 800 meters and finishing the 400 meters in 1:09.75, while the 800 meters saw a time of in 2:02.76.
Freshman Jaileb Ballard put in an impressive time in the men's 60 meter hurdles event, placing sixth overall with a time of 8.51 seconds, which marks second-best in program history. In distance races, Jacob Harned and Preston Webb managed top-30 finishes in the men's 5,000 meters, with Harned finishing with a time of 15:27.27 and Webb recording a time of 15:46.07. Both times sit in the top five in school history for the event.
Women's Highlights
In the 60-meter dash, Asya Stanislaus led the team with a time of 8.07 seconds, placing 33rd overall. Janae McCall and senior Jerenie Jackson followed, recording times of 8.26 and 8.29 seconds, respectively. McCall's time of 8.26 seconds is a new personal record.
In the 200-meter event, McCall clocked 27.82 seconds, securing the 52nd position. Meanwhile, Ashlyn Broussard represented Mobile in the 400 meters, finishing 25th with a time of 1:01.03. McCall returned to the track for this event, completing it in 1:03.13, placing 30th. Broussard also competed in the 60-meter hurdles, finishing 30th with a time of 14.14 seconds.
In the 800 meters, Reese Prestridge finished 38th, clocking in at 2:41.52, while sophomore Kaylea Holmes secured the 44th spot with a time of 2:53.05. The mile run saw Claire Atkins leading the Mobile contingent, finishing 49th with a time of 7:19.70. Senior Kayley Burgess and senior Haley Jones followed, recording times of 7:39.53 and 7:13.71, respectively. In the grueling 5000-meter race, Burgess and Jones showcased their endurance, finishing 11th and 12th with times of 20:32.87 and 20:59.42.
Across field events, Mallory Botos managed a ninth-place finish in the weight throw, recording a mark of 12.99 meters for the third-best distance in school history.
Back to Gainesville for the Postseason
Both teams at Mobile are set to travel back to the Alachua County Events Center in Gainesville, Fla. next week for the 2024-25 SSAC Indoor Track & Field Championships. The SSAC Conference meet is scheduled for Feb. 14-15.
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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.
