Reedy Opens Outdoor Season with OU Record

Friday, March 18

Tempe, Ariz.

1:00 PM

University of Oklahoma

Baldy Castillo Invitational

Reedy Opens Outdoor Season with OU Record

March 18, 2016 | Track and Field

By: Akilah Laster

TEMPE, Ariz. - It was a brief day, but it proved to be a noteworthy one.

The Oklahoma track and field teams opened the outdoor season at the Baldy Castillo Invitational in Tempe, Ariz., and wasted no time in re-writing career marks.

Julia Reedy, a 2015 All-American in the hammer throw, opened the meet with a career best in the hammer that also establish a program record with a 219-2.00 and open the season with a win.

The senior owned the previous record of 211-4.00, earned a year ago as she picked up her first All-America honor after finishing fifth at the national championship.

Sarah Tolson also recorded a career best with a 202-2.00 in her outdoor debut to finish fourth. She moved to second on OU's all-time list with that effort. Ashley Bryant added her name to the top 10 as well, throwing a 185-11.00 to rank fifth on OU's all-time list and finish 10th on Friday.

Julia Reedy established a program record 219-2.00 in the hammer throw to beat her previous program record of 211-4.00.

"The last time Julia threw the hammer in NCAA competition she set a school record and finished fifth at nationals, so for her to pick up right away and set a school record bodes well for her having a great senior season," said head coach Jim VanHootegem. "It was a great job by Sarah as well. They really got things off to a good start for us."

Charles Nguyen was the lone Sooner to participate in the men's division of the hammer throw. He finished with a 185-10.00 mark.

The Sooners closed the day with entries in the women's and men's 1,500-meter run. Kelsey McKee led the OU women with a fifth-place finish, running a 4:28.65. Belle Wallace followed in sixth on a 4:28.89 effort. Brittany Tretbar, Sarah Scott (4:36.15) and Elena Arriaza (4:39.29) finished 10th, 16th and 20th, respectively, with Tretbar running a PR of 4:33.74.

The performances in those two events have the OU women tied for first place with 15 points.

On the men's side, Dylan Blankenbaker was the top finisher for the Sooners, earning a career-best 3:48.58 to finish sixth overall. Blake Yount (3:54.06) had a strong showing in his outdoor collegiate debut in the 1,500, one that left the coaches impressed.

"I'm really pleased with the 1,500 group," VanHootegem said. "It was bumpy ride, but they ran really well. It was a congested race but they maintained really well and kept their composure.

Sarah Tolson moves to second on OU's all-time list after marking a 200-2.00 in the hammer throw.

"Blake Yount did a nice job," the head coach continued. "He shows a competitive spirit and continues to grow as an athlete. He definitely has the competiveness to do well at this level."

Sooners Will Hogston (3:56.72), Dan Schubert (4:00.81) and Eric Alldritt (4:04.31) closed the day for the team.

Action resumes Saturday at noon (CT) with the majority of the team competing throughout the final day of the meet. The day opens with Jess Woodard, Jenny Carmichael and Kate Foster in the discus. Running events begin at 3 p.m. and will feature CeCe Jackson and Makayla Stephens in the 100-meter hurdles as well as several other Sooners making their outdoor collegiate debuts.

"Our biggest objective is to come out of the meet healthy, but we want to find out where we're at and show a good competitive spirit," said VanHootegem. "We've had a great week of training and had a good time in Arizona, so now it's time to go out on track day."

Keep up with OU track and field at the Baldy Castillo Invitational on Twitter @OU_Track throughout the meet with a full recap on SoonerSports.com after competition concludes.