Track & Field Kicks Off Outdoor Campaign in Texas

Thursday, March 28

Austin, TX

All Day

University of Louisville

Texas Relays

Natalie Lark competing in the pole vault

March 28, 2024 | Track & Field

Texas Relays Live Results Bobcat Invitational Live Results

The Cardinals competed at both the Texas Relays and the Bobcat Invitational on Thursday.

By: Sam Gercak

The University of Louisville track & field teams kicked off the first weekend of the 2024 outdoor season with athletes competing at both the Texas Relays and the Bobcat Invitational on Thursday.

After finishing as the indoor ACC runner-up in the women's pole vault, Natalie Lark began her outdoor campaign with a fifth-place finish in the event at the Texas Relays, clearing a personal-best bar of 4.25m (13-11.25) to move to third in the Louisville record books.

The women's pole vault in Austin also saw Iliana Triantafyllou make her collegiate debut for the Cardinals after joining the team in January, tying for eighth with a mark of 4.15m (13-7.25).

Louisville was also well-represented at the Bobcat Invitational in San Marcos, Texas, beginning the day with a trio of personal-best marks in the unseeded section of the women's long jump.

Rachel Darden rounded out the top five with a massive leap of 5.90m (19-4.25), while Alba Cuns Iglesias placed sixth with a mark of 5.84m (19-2) and Sophia Day finished seventh in her outdoor debut with a jump of 5.73m (18-9.75).

The Cards found success in the javelin throw, as Ryan Drwal finished second in the unseeded section of the men's event with a personal-best heave of 53.47m (175-5) and Gianna Rotelli made her collegiate debut with a fourth-place mark of 38.30m (125-8) in the women's event.

On the track at the Bobcat Invitational, Ryan Farrell led the way with a fourth-place finish in the men's 800m with a time of 1:50.87. In the women's 800m, Alessandra Rodriguez placed fifth in a time of 2:12.09 with Amy Harding-Delooze following close behind in 2:12.17.

The Cardinals will resume competition in the Lone Star State tomorrow afternoon, getting their day started at 1:00 p.m. with the 100m at the Texas Relays and the women's long jump at the Bobcat Invitational.

Along with the two meets in Texas, Ian Kibiwot will make his season debut on the outdoor oval tomorrow evening at the Stanford Invitational, as the senior prepares to take part in the men's 5000m at 11:30 p.m. ET.

For the latest information on Louisville Cross Country/Track & Field, visit GoCards.com, or follow the team's Instagram and Twitter account at @louisvilletfxc or on Facebook at facebook.com/LouisvilleTFXC.

Texas Relays – Day Two
March 28, 2024
Austin, Texas | Mike A. Myers Stadium

* = Personal Record

Women's Pole Vault
Natalie Lark – 4.25m (13-11.25) *
Iliana Triantafyllou – 4.15m (13-7.25) *

Men's Hammer Throw
Erik Fertig – 59.27m (194-5)

Bobcat Invitational – Day Two
March 28, 2024
San Marcos, Texas | Texas State Track & Field Complex

* = Personal Record

Women's 800m
Alessandra Rodriguez – 2:12.09 *
Amy Harding-Delooze – 2:12.17

Men's 800m
Ryan Farrell – 1:50.87

Women's Long Jump – Unseeded
Rachel Darden – 5.90m (19-4.25) *
Alba Cuns Iglesias – 5.84m (19-2) *
Sophia Day – 5.73m (18-9.75) *

Women's Javelin Throw
Gianna Rotelli – 38.30m (125-8) *

Women's Javelin Throw – Unseeded
Lucy Fellows – 33.81m (110-11) *

Men's Javelin Throw – Unseeded
Ryan Drwal – 53.47m (175-5) *