Cardinals Close Split Weekend with 800m Freshman Record

Saturday, February 7

Chicago, IL

University of Louisville

Windy City Invitational

Brendan Ruggles races the 800m at the 2026 Rod McCravy Memorial Invitational

Photo by: Taris Smith | Louisville Athletics

Cardinals Close Split Weekend with 800m Freshman Record

February 07, 2026 | Track & Field

Fairgrounds Invitational Results Windy City Invitational Results

Brendan Ruggles set a new Louisville freshman best in the men’s 800m with a time of 1:49.78 at the Windy City Invitational.

By: Sam Gercak

The University of Louisville track & field teams wrapped up competition at both the Fairgrounds Invitational and Windy City Invitational on Saturday, capping the weekend with four performances that rank in the top 10 all-time in the Louisville record books.

Detailed highlights from both meets can be found below.

FAIRGROUNDS INVITATIONAL
Results

Saturday's action began at the Fairgrounds Invitational in Indianapolis, where sophomore Johnny Sabinski set a new personal record for the second consecutive weekend, winning the men's shot put with a mark of 17.63m (57-10.25) to move to 10^th in program history.

The Cards also got a runner-up finish in the women's shot put from Kaia Tupu-South, who recorded a toss of 16.48m (54-1) on her final attempt of the competition.

WINDY CITY INVITATIONAL
Results

After Ethan Brouw broke the program record in the men's 800m at the Windy City Invitational on Friday night, Brendan Ruggles won the open section of the event on Saturday in Chicago, setting a Louisville freshman record with a time of 1:49.78.

In addition to shattering Howard Shepard III's previous freshman record of 1:51.55 that had stood since 2010, the time also brings Ruggles up to fourth in program history while improving over two seconds off his previous personal best.

Breanna Braham, the program record holder in the women's 400m, moved to 10^th all-time in the women's 200m with a time of 24.49 as she continues to write her name all over the Louisville record books in her freshman season.

The women's 4x400m relay of McKenzie Bell, Ruby Nwosu, Sophia Day, and Jalasia Lewis closed out the weekend with an event victory, crossing the line first in the open section with a time of 3:44.23 that ranks them 10^th in Louisville history.

UP NEXT
The Cardinals will split between four meets across the nation on Feb. 13-14 for their final weekend of the regular season.

Two groups will stay in the Midwest to compete at the Heartland Invitational in Indianapolis and the Music City Challenge in Nashville, while two additional groups will travel out west for the Husky Classic in Seattle and the Don Kirby Elite Invitational in Albuquerque.

Fairgrounds Invitational – Day Two
February 7, 2026
Indianapolis, Ind. | Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion

* = Personal Record

Women's Shot Put
Kaia Tupu-South – 16.48m (54-1)
Aja Johnson – 13.58m (44-6.75)

Men's Shot Put
Johnny Sabinski – 17.63m (57-10.25) *

Windy City Invitational – Day Two
February 7, 2026
Chicago, Ill. | Gately Stadium

* = Personal Record
(fr) = Freshman Record

Women's 200m
Breanna Braham – 24.49
Maya Taylor – 25.58
Nia Booker – 26.03
Sophia Day – 26.35

Men's 800m
Brendan Ruggles – 1:49.78 * (fr)

Women's 4x400m Relay
McKenzie Bell, Ruby Nwosu, Sophia Day, Jalasia Lewis – 3:44.23

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