GAINESVILLE, Fla. - North Florida track and field fended off a six-hour rain delay to finish out competition at the Florida Relays on Saturday evening. The second day of races at the Embry-Riddle Spikes Classic was canceled due to the inclement weather that occurred at Spruce Creek High School.
Timothy Doyle ran the second-best 800m time of his collegiate outdoor career to finish in eighth among 37 runners.
Tariq Lajoie placed second in the men's high jump for the second weekend in a row, while
Kaley Petrosky recorded a jump of 1.66m to grab sixth.
IN THE FIELD
- Lajoie posted a runner-up finish in the men's high jump after hitting a mark of 1.95m on his third attempt.
- He finished second in a field of five athletes that were all from Power Five schools.
- Petrosky also hit a great mark after recording 1.66m in the women's high jump.
- She was within reach of her personal-best outdoor mark of 1.67m against jumpers from six Power Five schools.
ON THE TRACK
- Doyle clocked a time of 1:49.23 in the first heat of the men's 800m race and put together a eighth-place finish.
- He ran among a field of 37 runners and competed against athletes from seven Power Five programs.
- This was his second-best career time in the 800m race, which is less than two seconds shy of his lifetime best mark that was also ran in Gainesville during the 2021 season.
PIGG'S THOUGHTS
"After a six-hour rain delay, the meet finally resumed and the kids handled the delay and rainy conditions very well. Timothy [Doyle] had a strong 800m with his second-fastest time ever in that race. He competed well in a great field. It was a very fast season opener and a good sign for things to come.
Tariq [Lajoie] placed second in the open high jump. He handled the wet conditions very well clearing two bars. Kaley [Petrosky] came in the second bar and had a nice clearance on the the first two bars. She had a great jump while handling the conditions and a strong field very well.
-- head coach
Jeff Pigg
NEXT UP
The UNF track and field teams will return as a team to compete in the Flames Invitational from Apr. 8-9 in Cleveland, Tenn.
