Kate Powers Sets New Freshman Weight Throw Record at Razorback Invitational

Freshman athlete Kate Powers continued to make waves for the University of Kentucky track and field program at the Razorback Invitational in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Powers broke the indoor women’s weight throw freshman record for the second time this season, throwing a phenomenal 65’8.25″/20.02 meters on her second attempt. This throw not only surpassed her previous record of 65’0″/19.81 meters, but also ranks her sixth overall on the UK all-time performers list. Powers finished in eighth place in the competition.

The Wildcats had a successful day overall, with six top-five finishes and seven personal bests. In the distance medley relay event, the women’s A team consisting of Sydney Steely, Alysia Johnson, Jenna Schwinghamer, and Phoebe McCowan achieved a season-best time of 11:04.82, ranking them eighth on the UK all-time performers list.

In the pentathlon event, graduate student Charity Hufnagel placed third overall with a total of 4,218 points, which now ranks her second all-time on the UK performers list. Hufnagel’s standout performance came in the high jump, where she won the event with a jump of 6’00.50″/1.87 meters, earning her 1,029 points. Despite finishing in 15th place, junior Ariel Pedigo also made her way into the record book, ranking ninth overall with 3,599 points.

In the jumps and throws category, senior Simi Akinrinsola achieved a personal best throw of 67’7″/20.60 meters in the weight throw, placing her fifth overall and ranking fourth on the UK all-time performers list. Freshman Kate Powers also had an impressive showing, finishing eighth with her record-breaking throw of 65’08.25″/20.02 meters, which remains the sixth best in UK history. On the men’s side, senior Dennis Ohene-Adu placed fifth with a throw of 67’4.25″/ 20.53 meters.

Sophomore Kaitlyn Cain improved her personal best in the women’s pole vault, reaching a height of 13’4.50″/4.08 meters, which moved her up to fourth on the UK all-time performers list.

The Wildcats will continue competing at the Razorback Invitational on Saturday, with events set to start at 11:15 a.m. ET.