TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Alabama track and field program claimed seven different event titles on the final day of the Crimson Tide Invitational.
Chelsea Igberaese and Taylor Gorum got Alabama rolling early as the duo posted two top-three finishes in the women’s discus. Igberaese’s first throw of the event (55.14m | 180-11) secured the Tide its first victory of the day and also moved her to No. 4 on Alabama’s all-time list. Gorum’s 53.42-meter throw (175-3) earned her a third-place finish.
Later, Alabama’s 4×100-meter relay group (Jekovan Rhetta, Antonio Crisco, Clayton Elder, Jonathan Martin) clocked a first-place finish before Na’Taja Ballard also found success on the familiar track, securing the event win in the women’s 400 meters.
In his outdoor season debut, Christian Edwards became the Crimson Tide’s fourth event champion of the day. The reigning SEC Indoor silver medalist needed only his first jump to, ultimately, secure the men’s triple jump title.
Cordè Long (400-meter hurdles), Brady Barton (men’s 1,500-meters) and the men’s 4×400-meter relay squad (Chris Robinson, Cordè Long, Leander Forbes, Khaleb McRae) would each claim the final three wins on Saturday evening. It’s now the third time this season that an Alabama student-athlete has won the men’s 400-meter hurdle title.
On Saturday, the Crimson Tide welcomed home over 200 track and field alumni and also honored its 2023 senior class: Flomena Asekol, Bobby Colantonio Jr., Alan de Falchi, Chelsea Igberaese, Eliud Kipsang, Samantha Kunza, Talaya Lewis, Katie Lightfoot, Amara Obi, Hailey Poole, Jami Reed, Rich Saenz, Quincy Scott, Grady Shiflet, Matthew Weaver, Jacob Wiggers, Karmen Williams.
In total, Alabama racked up eight event titles and 27 top-five finishes during its home meet. Gorum also broke a school record (women’s hammer throw), making it the seventh time this outdoor season alone that an Alabama school record has fallen.
“We always compete really well at home. There’s a home field advantage in every sport, and it’s absolutely true with track and field. Giving our athletes the opportunity to compete on a track they practice on every single day and providing them with the familiarity and comfort…
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