Records Fall on Day One of Rod McCravy Memorial

LOUISVILLE Ky. – The University of Kentucky Track and Field team brought the heat to a snowy Friday afternoon at the 30th Annual Rod McCravy Memorial Invitational at the Norton Healthcare Sports and Learning Center in Louisville, winning five events, breaking two school records, and setting one new freshman record.

Sophomore Kate Powers set the tone on the Wildcats’ opening day of the McCravy, breaking a ten-year-old school record in the Women’s Weight Throw to claim Kentucky’s first victory at its home invitational. Powers—who previously set the school’s second best mark in December—launched her opening throw 21.64m/71-0.00 to gain a lead she would never relinquish. Powers’ throw topped Beckie Famurewa’s 2015 mark of 21.61m/70-10.75 that was set at the 2015 McCravy in Lexington.

Freshman Sharmelle Holmes was the next Wildcat to rewrite the record book, taking down Abby Steiner’s Freshman Record in the Women’s 60m dash. Holmes ran a preliminary time of 7.29 seconds to win her heat—and set the top time in the first round of competition—and automatically advance to tomorrow’s semifinal. Holmes also led the Cats in the 200m, finishing third in a personal best time of 23.96 seconds.

Holmes was not the only Wildcat to take the top qualifying spot in the 60, as sophomore Miles Jones continued his winning ways to start the 2025 season. Jones blazed to the top prelim time of 6.71 seconds to lead five Wildcats who automatically qualified to tomorrow’s semifinal.

Sophomore Cha’iel Johnson was the final Wildcat to etch her name into Kentucky history, winning the 600m in a school record time of 1:32.15, besting her previous mark from December’s Louisville Opener.

In the 300m, sophomore Oneika McAnnuff picked up her first victory of the season in comfortable fashion, winning the event in a personal best time of 37.48, a time good enough for fifth all-time at Kentucky. Teammate Hannah Douglas was not far off of McAnnuff, placing second in a personal best time of 37.55 that moves her to sixth all-time at Kentucky.

Shavique Bascus picked up the final individual win of the day—and the first for the men’s team—by cruising to victory in the Men’s 200m. Bascus’ time of 21.28 won Section 1 and stood as the top mark over 12 heats.

In the Women’s Pole Vault, senior Payton Phillips did not pick up the win, but did finish as the competition’s top collegian. The All-American ended up in second place with a top jump of 4.25m/13-11.25.

To close out the first day of competition in the Derby City, Kentucky got its first relay win of the season from the Women’s Distance Medley Relay squad. The team of Julz Williams, Cha’iel Johnson, Lyric Olson, and Mollie Roden finished the race in a winning time of 11:36.82. The Wildcats were in second at the first exchange following Williams’ 1200m leg, but a stellar 400m leg from Johnson pushed Kentucky in front after two racers. Olson held the Wildcat advantage over 800m despite a strong surge from Ohio State, giving Mollie Roden a lead for her 1600m leg that she would not only keep, but expand upon to push the Cats to a win.

Kentucky’s lone home meet of the indoor season, the McCravy will continue on Saturday with field action beginning at 11 a.m. ET and track events starting at Noon ET.

Honoring Rod McCravy 

The high level of competition at the meet has turned into a fitting tribute to its namesake: the late Rodriq McCravy.

McCravy, a UK track athlete, died at the age of 19 in 1987 while sleeping in his dorm room. Although only a sophomore, Rod had already become the track team’s leader. His personal charisma and genuine care for others earned him the respect and admiration of all his teammates.

His personal impact on his teammates, friends, and coaches went well beyond athletics. A social work major, Rod is remembered as a dedicated, enthusiastic athlete, a conscientious student, a cherished friend, and most important, an outstanding human being.

A graduate of Louisville Trinity High School, Rod was a two-time class AAA state champion in the 300m hurdles. He once held the UK freshman 400m hurdles record (53.35) and was part of a then-school record 4x400m relay team.

The meet is named in his honor to help members of the UK track and field community remember him as well as provide an ongoing opportunity to speak about Rod and the positive influence he had on everyone who knew him.

Event Schedule and Results

Follow Kentucky Track and Field and Cross Country on Facebook, Instagram, X, and UKathletics.com.