University of North Florida
Georgia Tech Invitational - Day 1
Rey Hernandez Breaks His Third Collegiate Program Record
4/19/2024 11:30:00 PM | Men's Track, Women's Track
Ospreys Clinch Several Top-Five Ranks on Day One of the Georgia Tech Invitational
ATLANTA, Ga. - North Florida outdoor track and field secured several top-five ranks on day one of the Georgia Tech Invitational on Friday afternoon.
Rey Hernandez overturned a nine-year program record after clinching the men's 110m hurdles in 14.62. The freshman superseded Marques Burgman's nine-year program record.
The Lakeland, Fla., native earned a lifetime mark and clinched a second-place finish in his heat. This is the third record he's broken in his collegiate career during his freshman season with the Ospreys.
Ilias El Khattabi clinched a third-place mark overall in the men's 3000m steeplechase, clinching a new lifetime achievement of 9:00.49 in the race. Ryan Douihech also competed well with a fourth-place mark overall in the men's 1500m. Smilla Kolbe's robust strides earned her a new lifetime mark of 4:21.99 in the women's 1500m, just one second away from a program record.Â
FINISH LINE
- Ilias El Khattabi grabbed a third-place finish overall in the men's 3000m steeplechase, securing a new lifetime mark of 9:00.49 in the race.
- Ryan Douihech's notable strides earned him a fourth-place finish overall in the men's 1500m, marking a new lifetime mark of 3:46.48 in the race.
- Cole Perry went top five in the men's 3000m steeple, securing a new lifetime mark of 9:05.34.
- Paul Lespasio made his 3000m steeplechase debut, clinching a top-15 placement overall with a time of 9:17.72.
- Gavin O'Brien also clinched a top-15 performance in the men's 3000m steeple.
- Colton Lawson and Ben Tary rounded out the group in top 25.
- Christian Ruocco notches the second-highest Osprey spot in the men's 1500m, compiling in top 40 overall.
- Andrew Mahorner, Thomas Weiler and Seth Martinez rounded out the men's 1500m with top 55 placements.
- Smilla Kolbe secured a new lifetime mark in the women's 1500m, notching the race in 4:21.99.
- The sophomore was roughly one second shy of a program record.
- Camryn Batt clinched fourth in her heat for the women, securing a new personal best mark of 12.44 in the women's 100m.
- Mariama Kamara finished second in her heat for the women's 100m.
- Laci Watford marked her outdoor collegiate debut in the women's 1500m, compiling in top 70 overall.
- Jada Williams secures a top-10 finish in the women's 3000m SC.
- Rafaela Marchini notched a new personal-best mark in women's long jump after leaping 5.16m.
- Serenity Miller clinched first in her heat for the women's 100 mH.
PIGG'S POINTS
Smilla [Kolbe] had a great meet. It was lifetime best for her in the 1500m, she was the top collegian and I am really, really proud of her effort. Overall, we competed well. In some cases, we didn't necessarily have great marks, but the women competed well. On the men's side, the steeplechase was a really good race for a number of guys. Ilias [El Khattabi] running right there at nine minutes and Cole Perry at nine and a half. I thought those guys did a great job. Gavin [O'Brien] had a little bit of a rough race, but we know he's looking good now. He's got a bit of an off day, so we're happy with that. Ryan Douihech did a great job in the 1500m. A couple seconds better for him and a really big PR. Rey [Hernandez] looked really good. He finished 14.62 and was certainly college best in the hurdles. Our top girl is Serenity [Miller]. She did a nice job, finishing first in her heat. So overall, it was a great meet and we'll be back tomorrow."
UP NEXT
The Ospreys will head back to the George C. Griffin Track to compete on day two of the Georgia Tech Invitational on Saturday, Apr. 20, in Atlanta, Ga.
OSPREY RESULTS
Women's LJ
Rafaela Marchini - 43rd - 5.16m (16-11.25)
Aleks Futschek - 49th - 4.92m (16-1.75)
Women's 100mH
Serenity Miller - 44th - 15.87
Men's 110mH
Rey Hernandez - 14th - 14.62
Women's 100m
Camryn Batt - 58th - 12.44
Mariama Kamara - 63rd - 12.50
Men's 100m
Jonathan Bailey - 48th - 10.92
Women's 1500m
Smilla Kolbe - 3rd - 4:21.99
Laci Watford - 67th - 4:56.30
Men's 1500m
Ryan Douihech - 4th - 3:46.48
Christian Ruocco - 37th - 3:57.31
Andrew Mahorner - 46th - 3:59.15
Thomas Weiler - 51st - 4:02.94
Seth Martinez - 52nd - 4:03.26
Women's 3000mS
Jada Williams - 9th - 11:12.98
Men's 3000mS
Ilias El Khattabi - 3rd - 9:00.49
Cole Perry - 5th - 9:05.34
Paul Lespasio - 14th - 9:17.72
Gavin O'Brien - 15th - 9:22.86
Colton Lawson - 22nd - 9:30.42
Ben Tary - 23rd - 9:30.61
Women's 5000m
Hannah Martin - 14th - 17:40.09
Isa Leen - 19th - 17:55.35
Billie Castillo - 23rd - 17:59.64
Emma Millson - 27th - 18:10.36
Men's 5000m
Justin Tackling - 37th - 15:09.90
Sebastian Hernandez - 67th - 15:31.34
Martin Ahlstrom - 94th - 15:59.99
Players Mentioned
