LEXINGTON, Ky. ? University of Kentucky track and field athlete Maggie Tincher kicked off the final home meet this season for the Wildcats at E.J. Nutter Field House in style. Friday night at the Rod McCravy Memorial Track Meet, Tincher set the bar higher and cleared it to establish a new UK record in the women?s indoor pole vault.
The junior topped the record mark she set last season of 12-0.50 by an inch (12-1.50) to update the UK record book. She sailed over the bar on her second try at the height to finish fifth overall.
Freshman Grant Lindsey continued his mastery of the high jump earning another provisional mark and victory in the event, tying his personal best leap of 7-00.25 on his second attempt of the height.
Sophomore Mary Chris Durham also made a mark in the women?s pole vault, clearing a season-best height of 11-07.75 on her first attempt of the progression.
Competition resumes Saturday at 10:30 a.m. ET. The two-day event is free to the public and live stats will be available at UKathletics.com.
The competition looks fierce this weekend with nine top-25 teams in attendance. The four ranked men?s squads include three SEC foes: No. 2 Tennessee, No. 11 Florida, No. 16 South Carolina and No. 21 Ohio State. The five teams ranked on the women?s side include two of the top three schools in the nation: No. 2 Tennessee, No. 3 Texas A&M, No. 10 South Carolina, No. 11 Florida and No. 17 Georgia Tech. In all 18 schools, including the Wildcats and in-state rival Louisville, will be in action.
The Rod McCravy Memorial Track and Field meet is named in honor of Rod McCravy, a former University of Kentucky track athlete who died in 1987 at the age of 19 while sleeping in his dorm room. Although only a sophomore, Rod had already become one of the team?s leaders. A social work major, Rod is remembered as a dedicated, enthusiastic athlete who was a conscientious student and outstanding human being. He set the then-UK freshman record in the 400 hurdles and finished sixth at the TAC National Junior Championships. A meet named in Rod?s honor enables the Kentucky track and field family to remember him, as well as provide an on-going opportunity to speak UK athletes about his impact on our program and those he surrounded.
Be sure to check out live stats Saturday available at UKathletics.com with a recap following the conclusion of the day?s action.
