Vols Tab Six Podium Finishes Saturday at Tennessee Relays

Vols Tab Six Podium Finishes Saturday at Tennessee Relays

April 13, 2019 | Track & Field

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee track & field program combined for six podium finishes as the home squad wrapped up the 52^nd Tennessee Relays Saturday at Tom Black Track. All-American high jumper Darryl Sullivan and the Volunteer 4x100m relay team of Elijah Miller, Mustaqeem Williams, Kwantreyl McConico and Jeffrey Uzzell accounted for UT's two event victories on the afternoon.

"I am pleased with our team this weekend," said Tennessee director of track & field Beth Alford-Sullivan. "I think there is room for improvement, but that is where I want to be on April 13. I don't want to be at our best. I want to be at a position where we can move forward and I really feel like that is where we are. We had a lot of good experiences this weekend. We had some wins and some great performances, splits, marks and great individual stuff. And we have a lot more to come. I think our kids are fired up and the momentum is moving forward."

RELAY SUCCESSES: Tennessee earned its first men's 4x100m relay victory in more than two years as Elijah Miller, Mustaqeem Williams, Kwantreyl McConico and Jeffrey Uzzell combined for a time of 39.69. The Vols edged Western Kentucky (39.82), Kentucky (39.84), Virginia Tech (39.99) and NC State (40.14) in the fastest heat of the afternoon.

RGMS 🤫 pic.twitter.com/wbQGLeufcE
— Tennessee Track & Field/XC (@Vol_Track) April 13, 2019

UT finished runner-up in the men's distance medley relay, with Nick Boogades, Darryl Harris, Joe Hoots and Zach Long turning in a time of 9:45.79 - more than 10 seconds quicker than Tennessee's best mark from the 2019 indoor season. Long's mile split was clocked at 4:00 as the senior helped the Big Orange to a silver-medal finish.

On the women's side, the 4x400m relay team of Layla White, Martina Weil, Lenysse Dyer and Brooklynn Broadwater finished second to SEC rival Kentucky with a season-best clocking of 3:32.63. It was the fastest mark for the Lady Vols since running a time of 3:28.96 on the same track at the 2018 SEC Championships.

FIELD MEDALS: High jumper Darryl Sullivan continued his decorated junior campaign with a second-straight victory, this time clearing 2.15m (7-0.5) on his home turf. The last man standing in the competition, the Marion, Ill. native requested the bar to be moved to 2.31m (7-7) to tie a school record, but was unable to clear the mark.

School-record holder LaChyna Roe (Richmond, Va.) claimed a runner-up finish on her Senior Day, logging a triple-jump performance of 13.14m (43-1.5) for her second-best mark of the 2019 outdoor season. She was one of two athletes to surpass 13 meters on Saturday, as Kentucky's Marie-Josee Ebwea-Excel took the event at 13.55m (44-5.5).

Joseph Maxwell took home a runner-up finish for the third time this outdoor season with his mark of 54.36m (178-4) in the men's discus throw competition. It was the third-highest mark of Maxwell's Tennessee career.

SULLIVAN'S REMARKS: "I think we did a great job impressing the local fans," Alford-Sullivan said following the meet. "We have the No. 1 facility, No. 1 facilities crew and the No. 1 meet management crew in the country, and just put on a phenomenal meet. The support here at Tennessee is outstanding and I was very, very proud, as I was last year when we hosted the SEC Championship meet. I am very, very proud of this facility, our team, the environment and our fans. Our fans were great. We had a great day and great weekend."

SPECIAL AWARDS/SENIOR RECOGNITIONS: Prior to relay events on Saturday, the Tennessee track & field program presented three special awards and honored 25 members of its 2019 senior class.

Senior distance runner Zach Long received the Ed Murphey Award, designated for the team's most outstanding male track and field athlete. Multi-event specialist Maya Neal was honored with the Chuck Rohe Leadership Award, presented to the student-athlete who consistently desplays outstanding leadership with integrity, enthusiasm, diligence, academic excellence and a get-it-done attitude. Additionally, long-time chief clerk Kim Roseberry received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Tennessee track staff.

UT then honored its senior class of 25 and their families for their commitment to the program. Nick Brey, Gabriella Cantrell, Lenysse Dyer, manager London Evans, Nate Harper, Darryl Harris, Nick Hassler, Andre Hillsman, Minttu Hukka, Zach Long, Savannah Marlow, Kwantreyl McConico, Maia McCoy, Emily Meier, Peighton Meske, Jose Parrilla, Trey Quealy, Jessica Rizor, Wesley Robinson, LaChyna Roe, Stamatia Scarvelis, Layla White, Seth Whitener, Mustaqeem Williams and Weldon Wright were each recognized for their efforts on Rocky Top over the past four seasons.

UP NEXT: Tennessee track & field will head separate ways next weekend with entries at the Virginia Challenge (Charlottesville, Va.) and War Eagle Invitational (Auburn, Ala.). Both meets are scheduled for Friday and Saturday, April 19-20.

Full results from the 52nd Tennessee Relays can be found at this link. For the most up-to-date information on Tennessee track & field, follow @Vol_Track on Twitter.