Keaton Daniel Launches Himself Atop The National Leaderboard As More Records Fall

LEXINGTON, Ky. — For the third straight meet week, the University of Kentucky track and field program saw school records broken as the program concluded its first day at both the Corky Classic and Vanderbilt Invitational on Friday.

Seniors Keaton Daniel and Dennis Ohene-Adu added new marks to the UK Track & Field record book after securing school records in the men’s pole vault and weight throw, respectively. Daniel, who already owns the school record in both indoor and outdoor pole vaults, improved his indoor record to 19’0.25”/5.80 meters and set the best mark in the country so far this season.

Daniel, who ranked third in the country before entering the meet tonight now sits in first place, 0.8 meters ahead of Arkansas State’s Bradley Jelmert who holds a mark of 18’9.25”/5.72 meters.

Ohene-Adu earned his place in the record book with a mark of 68’10”/20.98 meters. He overtakes fellow teammate, junior Logan Coles, who set the school record in the men’s weight throw just last month at the Indiana Early Bird meet.

It also marks the third time the Wildcats have set a record in the event this season after freshman Kate Powers set a new freshman record in the women’s weight throw last week at the Rod McCravy Memorial meet.

The Wildcats added one additional event win on the night after senior Sydney Steely won the women’s 1000 meters with a personal best time of 2:43.20. Her time also improved in the record book where she ranks second all-time in the event.

Nine Wildcats in total recorded a top-five finish in four events tonight with eight new personal bests recorded.

Finals Recap

Jumps & Throws

Pole Vault

Men – Senior Keaton Daniel won with a national top mark of 19’0.25”/5.80 meters. It marks a new personal best, school record, and second straight event win of the season for Daniel.

Senior Dalton Shepler tied his personal best at 17’0.75”/5.20 meters for a fourth-place finish.

Weight Throw

Women – Senior Simi Akinrinsola set a personal best throw of 67’6”/20.57 meters to finish fourth. The throw also improves her mark in the UK all-time performers list where she ranks fifth.

Freshman Kate Powers closed out the top five with a throw of 64’03.75”/19.60 meters.

Men – Senior Dennis Ohene-Adu secured a victory after setting a school record and personal best in the men’s weight throw invite with a mark of 68’10”/20.98 meters.

Junior Logan Coles took second in the weight throw invite with a throw of 68’00.25”/20.73 meters.

Distance

1000m

Women – Senior Sydney Steely won the women’s 1000 meters with a personal best time of 2:43.20. Her time also improved in the record book where she ranks second all-time in the event.

Senior Jenna Schwinghamer came across the line just behind Steely to secure second place with a time of 2:43.68.

Junior Phoebe McCowan took fifth with a personal best time of 2:44.70.

The Wildcats will conclude both meets tomorrow starting at 11 a.m. ET with the Men’s Shot Put Open at the Vanderbilt Invitational.

Event Results

Event Lineup (all info tentative and subject to change before the meet)