Eastern Kentucky University Track & Field Dominates Competitions with Record-Breaking Performances

LOUISVILLE, Ky. / NEW YORK, N.Y. – Eastern Kentucky University’s track and field teams had an impressive weekend, splitting their efforts between the Bellarmine Classic in Louisville and the Dr. Sander Invitational in New York. Their achievements included multiple gold medals and the establishment of a new school record.

New School Record Set at the Dr. Sander Invitational

The standout performance came from Justine Kipkoech and Taha Er Raouy, who became the first Colonels in university history to break the four-minute barrier in the mile race. Kipkoech, competing in the Pro-Elite division against mostly professional runners, secured sixth place with a time of 3:57.57. This performance shattered the previous record of 4:00.99 set by Ahmed Sayf Kadri just last year, cementing Kipkoech’s position as the top performer in the EKU record books.

Er Raouy claimed the top spot in the Invitational division with a time of 3:59.93, joining Kipkoech as the only athletes in the three heats to break the four-minute mark. Er Raouy’s new personal best surpasses Kadri on the all-time leaderboard, and he now holds the second-best time in EKU history with an improvement of over a second.

Jan Badia-Celma also established a new personal best of 4:01.53, winning bronze in the Invitational mile race. This performance places Badia-Celma at fourth-best in the Colonel record books and positions him as one of the top 100 fastest times nationally for this season.

Colons Excel at Bellarmine Classic

In Louisville, the EKU track and field teams continued their impressive performance at the Bellarmine Classic. Aidan Herman and Khadijah Ennasri swept the gold medals in the men’s and women’s 800m races, respectively. Herman recorded a new personal best of 1:53.20, while Ennasri clocked in at 2:15.20.

Further success came in the men’s 1 mile race, where Aniol Borras and Mario Priego Montero secured silver medals. Borras, competing in the Seeded division, finished with a new personal best of 4:05.69, and Priego, in the Collegiate division, placed second with a time of 4:17.24. Cesc Boix also achieved a new personal best, winning bronze with a time of 4:06.56.

Lucy Thornton also made waves in the women’s 3000m event, securing a bronze medal with a time of 9:55.29.

Lariah Wooden’s Dominance in Field Events

In the field events, Lariah Wooden continued her dominant freshman season with a gold medal in the women’s shot put. Wooden’s final throw of 44′-10.25″ (13.67m) secured her second gold medal and third overall medal in just three meets. All three of Wooden’s best throws this season have surpassed the previous second-best throw in EKU history.

Upcoming Meets

The Colonels will continue their competitive spirit as they prepare for the Notre Dame Meyo Invite in South Bend, IN, and the Lenny Lyles Invitational in Louisville, KY. Both events will take place from January 31 through February 1.

Follow EKU Track & Field

Stay tuned for the latest updates and精彩 moments from Eastern Kentucky University’s track and field teams by following them on Instagram (@eku_xctf), X (@EKU_XCTF), and Facebook (EKU Track & Field / XC).