June 27, 2011
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky senior Jenna Martin won the 400-meter dash in the Canadian National Championship on Saturday with a time of 51.95, narrowly missing out on topping her personal-best time in the event.
Martin, who holds the fastest time in the 400m dash in school history, running a 51.91 at Sao Paulo, Brazil, in 2007, narrowly missed topping the feat on Saturday. The native of Nova Scotia, Canada, entered the finals by running the fastest time in the prelims, crossing the finish line in 53.86.
In the finals, Martin won the Canadian National Championship with a blazing time of 51.95, adding the crown to an already impressive résumé that includes a seventh-place finish at the 2011 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships on June 10.
In the men’s senior 800m run semifinals, senior Sharif Webb finished in 14th place with a time of 1:49.55. Webb qualified for the semifinals with a time of 1:47.55 in the first round. In the semifinals, Webb, who ran in lane one, found himself near the front of the pack with 150 meters to go. Webb couldn’t hold off the pursuers, though, and fell back in the pack and crossed the line at 1:49.55. The USA Championships are being held in Eugene, Ore., this year.
“Under the circumstances, he ran a great race,” UK head coach Don Weber said. “But bad circumstances or bad fortune kept him out of the final.”
Freshman Matt Hillenbrand led Kentucky in the semifinals of the men’s junior 1,500m run. Hillenbrand was joined in the run by fellow freshman Adam Kahleifeh. Hillenbrand took the lead into the final 400 meters but faltered down the final 100 meters, crossing the finish line in 15th place with a time of 3:57.76. Kahleifeh finished in 21st place with a time of 4:00.66.
For continuous updates, follow the UK track and field team on twitter @KentuckyTrack, and at UKathletics.com.
USA Championships
Men’s Senior 800m Run Semifinal
14. Sharif Webb – 1:49.55
Men’s Junior 1,500m Run Semifinal
15. Matt Hillenbrand – 3:57.76
21. Adam Kahleifeh – 4:00.66
Canadian National Championships
Women’s 400m Dash
1. Jenna Martin – 51.95
