Track & Field Hosts First Annual Collegiate Bob Hayes Invitational

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The North Florida track and field team is set to host the inaugural Bob Hayes Collegiate Invitational at Visit Jax Track in Hodges Stadium.

This will be their second year hosting the meet, but it is the first time collegiate runners will compete. The Ospreys wrapped up the ASUN Indoor Championships with four podium placements and several lifetime marks. This time, UNF will make strides outdoors to kick off the spring season.

The meet will take place at Hodges Stadium from Mar. 15–16, with the first event taking place at 9 a.m.

BOB HAYES HISTORY

Robert "Bullet Bob" Hayes was born on December 20, 1942, in Jacksonville, Fla., and graduated from Florida A&M University. Hayes was a multi-sport athlete who competed as a professional sprinter for the USA Track & Field team and in the NFL as a wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys. The short-distance runner won a plethora of gold medals in the 1964 Summer Olympics.

Today, Hayes is the only athlete to notch a Super Bowl ring and a gold medal. Hayes was also inducted into the Professional Football Hall of Fame. Hayes previously held the world record for the 70-yard dash with a long standing time of 6.9 seconds. Bullet Bob also, tied the world record for the 100m at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics with a triumphant time of 10.06 seconds.

The greater Jacksonville community. has honored his legacy by hosting six decades of high school meets. This will be the first historical collegiate track meet hosted by North Florida in his honor, and it will be the second annual high school Bob Hayes Invitational hosted by North Florida.

NOTABLE OPPONENTS

The Ospreys will have a chance to compete against a wide range of competitors, such as Embry-Riddle, Jacksonville, Edward Waters University, Winston-Salem St, Clark Atlanta, Piedmont, Fort Valley State and USC-Beaufort. Florida State runner Jeremiah Davis earned a second first-team All-America honor in triple jump. Tiara Taylor clinched three consecutive appearances at NAIA championships for Edwards Waters University. We can anticipate a ton of competition at the first outdoor meet.

INDOOR ASUN CHAMPIONSHIP RECAP

Men

Pedroza smashed a new program record in the men's 800m finals.
The senior clinched the race in 1:48.73, taking home silver on day two of the ASUN Indoor Championships.
Springer rewrote his own 400m record, clinching a new program record of 48.26.
The newcomer clinched the 200m in 22.28, just shy of a program record.
Rey Hernandez went top six in the men's 60mH.
Paul Lespasio clinches new lifetime mark of 8:22.03 in the men's 3000m.

Women

Kolbe notched silver in the women's 800m finals, clinching the race in 2:09.03.
She went top five in the women's 400m, marking her first appearance in the race indoors.
The junior clinched the race in 55.95.
Renske Drenten clinched a new lifetime mark of 1.69m in women's high jump.
She earned a fourth-place mark overall on the final day of the ASUN Indoor Championships.
Erica Fisher and Isa Leen recorded top 15 marks in the women's 3000m.
Women's 1600m relay clinch sixth overall, finishing collectively in 3:51.07.

PIGG'S POINTS

"We will kick off the outdoors carefully this weekend. Early outdoor meets are happening while we are training heavily for May. Some people will have the weekend off, and others will compete. It will be a great environment with the traditional Bob Hayes excitement." -- Head Coach Jeff Pigg

UP NEXT

The Ospreys will double back and compete in the final day of the Bob Hayes Invitational, with the first event kicking off at 3:40 p.m.