The WKU Track and Field team produced solid results in the Pepsi Florida Relays this past weekend, recording five top-10 finishes.

Three of the top-10 finishes were in the top five finishing spots. Ninety other schools were competing, 12 of which were ranked in the top 25. 

WKU was also the only non-power five school to have a top-25 team at the meet, as the men’s team entered competition ranked No. 23.

“I thought we had a good meet,” Head Coach Erik Jenkins said, per release. “It’s a really good start as we faced premier teams, world-class athletes and performed well at a high-profile track and field meet.”

Emmanuel Dasor, Julius Morris, Ventavius Sears and Eli Minor teamed up in the 4×100 meter race to record a fifth-place finish, running a time of 38.91. Dasor also recorded a top-five finish on his own, running a 45.93 in the 400-meter dash and finishing in fourth. Morgan McIntyre also had a top-five finish in the triple jump, clearing a height of 3.85 meters to finish in fourth.

Sears recorded his second top-10 finish of the day with a 7.09-meter jump in the long jump, which was good enough for 10th.

Jenessa Jackson also finished 10th in the shot put, with a throw of 14.20 meters. Jackson also competed in the discus event, throwing 41.37 meters, as well as the hammer throw, recording a distance of 52.35 meters and placing 23rd.

Maor Seged fell just outside of the top-10 in the 400-meter hurdles, running a time of 52.33 and finishing 11th. Jonathan Hayden also ran in the 400-meter hurdles, running a 53.49 and finishing 16th. He also finished 16th in the 110-meter hurdles, with a time of 14.12. Both were personal bests for Hayden.

Kaila Smith finished just inside the top-15 in the women’s 400-meter hurdles, running a 1:00.21 to finish 15th. That was a personal best for her.

The women’s 4x200m team featured Ariel Terrell, Peli Alzola, Khadijah Valentine and Jadzia Beasley, and they ran a 1:38.09 to finish 24th.

Beasley also competed in the 100-meter dash, running a time of 11.80 to finish 32nd.

Valentine competed in the 400-meter, running a time of 57.22 and finishing 51st.

WKU’s next meet will be at home. They’ll be hosting the annual Hilltopper Relays at the Charles M. Reuter Track and Field Complex at WKU on April 7 and 8.

Reporter Jeremy Chisenhall can be reached at 859-760-0198 and [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @JSChisenhall.