Mocs Set PRs At TN Track And Field Invite; Vols Rack Up 12 Event Crowns (With Photos)

Saturday, April 5, 2025

photo by James Boofer

On a second straight day of sweltering heat on the Tom Black Track at the University of Tennessee, the Mocs set a few personal records to close out the Tennessee Invite.

“Norah Haney ran a PR in the 100 meter hurdles with Adelaide McKeown close behind,” assistant coach Patrick Gildea said. “Stella Henry kept the day rolling with another strong showing in the triple jump and Ryleigh Simmons ripped off a 100 meter in 11.89, wind legal”

Stella Henry got the day started with a personal best in the triple jump. She jumped 11.70 meters [38’ 4.75”] and finished eighth overall.

Another PR was Norah Haney in the 100 meter Hurdles. She posted a 17.02 and was just ahead of teammate Adelaide McKeown who ran a 17.49.

After posting a PR in the 200 meter on Friday, Ryleigh Simmons followed that with a personal best time in the 100 meter dash Saturday. She posted a time of 11.89 (4.0) and placed 15th overall.

Taylor Crawford ran the 400 meter for the first time and recorded a time of 1:06.47.

“She dropped down in distance to work on her turnover,” Gildea said.

EV McGown was fighting the elements Saturday in the 3000 meter Steeplechase, finishing with a time of 13:07.66.

“EV showed her grit in a windy Steeplechase on a challenging day,” Gildea said.

The Mocs 4x100 meter posted a 49.42 mark led off by Sarah Unterholzner. She passed off to Ava McGue and Norah Haney picked up the baton for the third leg. Ryleigh Simmons brought the team home in the anchor leg.

“We’ll be back at Lee next week with some of our athletes and give others some time to rest, recover and regroup,” Gildea said. “It’s that time of year where we want to make sure that everyone is in a good place before we get to the Southern Conference Championships.”

On day one of the meet, Stella Henry, Ava McGue and Norah Haney got the day started with the Long Jump. Henry best jump of the day was 5.62 meters (18-05.25) just shy of her career-high set earlier this season at the Lee University Invitational. McGue hit her mark, 4.84 meters (15-10.5) on her first leap and Haney recorded a career-best at 4.82 meters (15-9.75)

“Ava made the most of her first attempt and made her mark with Norah not far behind in another personal record,” Mocs assistant coach Patrick Gildea said.

Audrey Wade led the women in the 1500 meter with a time of 5:00.81 and was followed by Andrea Ellis at 5:04.08 while Emma Thweatt was the third of six Chattanooga runners to cross the line. Brooke Tyll set a new personal bet in the 1500 meter with a time of 5:10.21

“That was a huge PR for Brooke,” Gildea said. “Kennedy [McReynolds] and Olivia [Steele] fought hard in tough conditions to finish.”

Riley Hanson competed in the men’s 1500 meter run with a time of 4:01.13.

Sarah Unterholzner placed 10th in the women’s 400 meter hurdles with a time of personal best time of 1:04.54. Adelaide McKeown ran a personal best time as well.

Ryleigh Simmons was just shy of her career-best in the 1500 meter run at 25.15; Ava McGue ran a PR in her heat as well.

Lola Baker led three Mocs in the 5000 meter final Friday afternoon. She finished 22nd overall with a time of 18:55.90. Michaela Dabney was near her career-best time finishing at 19:14.01 while Aubrey Park finished aqt 20:05.82.