The University of Louisville’s track and field team had a strong start to the new year at the Cardinal Classic, with multiple athletes setting personal bests and breaking records on the first day of competition. The event was held at the Norton Healthcare Sports & Learning Center.
Leading the way for the Cardinals was junior Synclair Savage, who broke the school record in the women’s long jump with a leap of 6.44m (21-1.5). This new mark also set a new meet record and facility record, besting the previous record of 6.27m (20-7) that was set by Alexis Gibbons in 2018. Savage was one of three event winners on the night, all in women’s field events.
“Our team got off to a great start at the Cardinal Classic today,” said head coach Dale Cowper. “Synclair Savage led the way with a new school record in the women’s long jump and a performance that will likely advance her to the NCAA Championships in March.”
Senior Aliyah Welter picked up her second event victory of the season, winning the women’s pole vault with a clearance of 4.27m (14-0). The Cardinals swept the top four places in the event, with Lily Fleetwood and Carly Pujol picking up second and third place, both earning personal bests. Zoë Yeast claimed the women’s weight throw with a personal-best heave of 19.67m (64-6.5).
The men’s weight throw also saw three Cardinals in the top five, led by Ethan Alyea’s third-place finish with a personal-best launch of 19.56m (64-2.25). Taylor Herbert advanced to the finals in the women’s 60m dash, clocking 7.38 seconds.
The Cardinals will return to action on the second day of the Cardinal Classic, with events starting at 10 a.m. The meet will begin with the men’s pole vault and the women’s high jump, triple jump, and shot put, and will close out with the men’s 4x400m relay at 12:30 p.m.