Hale runs 52.61 second 400 meter

In a final tune-up before the Penn Relays, Columbia track and field competed in Alabama and New Jersey at the War Eagle and Larry Ellis Invitationals, hosted by Auburn and Princeton, respectively. Top marks were posted in performances on both fronts, and excitement is in order for the races this coming weekend.

Down South, sophomore Sharay Hale made a serious statement in the women’s 400-meter, proving herself a veritable contender for the national crown. Indeed, she was runner-up to that title’s recipient last spring, Auburn’s Joanna Atkins, 52.52 to 52.61. The time was an improvement on Hale’s previous best—52.64, the top time turned in for a freshman last year, nationally—a new Columbia record, and fifth in the NCAA so far this season. She doubled back in the 200 to take seventh overall in 23.77 for another new Columbia record.

Sophomore Kyra Caldwell took third in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 1:00.16 in a further personal improvement, but still fell short of the one-minute barrier. She was joined by teammates Yamira Bell, Uju Ofoche, and Kristen Houp in the 4x400-meter relay, which finished second behind Georgia State in 3:44.45.

The freshman jumping contingent continued to increase its potential, with Ofoche and Dora Vegvari taking fourth and sixth overall in the long jump with marks of 5.84 meters and 5.72 meters, respectively. Sophomore Uzunma Udeh was runner-up in the triple jump with a distance of 11.90 meters. The high jump saw sophomore Monique Roberts take the fourth spot in 1.73 meters—a season best, and a step closer to the 1.82-meter indoor mark that qualified her for the national meet.

In a successful return to Tiger territory, Kyle Merber led the way for men’s distance with a 14:03.67 5k, good for qualification to the regional meet and fourth currently in the Ivy League. However, Princeton foe Donn Cabral got the best of it this time around, posting a 13:58.24. Fellow junior Terence Prial had an impressive run, finishing with a personal best time of 14:32.82.

Freshmen Irene Kalbian and Caitlin Williamson took fifth and seventh in the women’s 3,000-meter on Saturday in 10:42.85 and 10:47.06, respectively. Nnenna Okwara managed 48.71 meters in the hammer throw, good for fourth, while sophomore Sarah Engle took the pole vault with 3.60 meters.

The Lions are back in action at the 2010 Penn Relays, held from Thursday, April 22 through Sunday, April 25.