Bellarmine University’s Track and Field Team Gears Up for the PNC Lenny Lyles Invitational
Louisville, Ky. — The excitement is building as Bellarmine University’s track and field team heads into the home stretch of the indoor season. The PNC Lenny Lyles Invitational, hosted by the University of Louisville, is set for this Friday and Saturday at the Norton Healthcare Sports & Learning Center.
The Knights recently participated in the PNC Bank Bellarmine Classic, the third of seven regular-season meets leading up to the ASUN Indoor Championship on February 27-28, which they will host.
Senior Zander Hooten has been in the spotlight, earning the ASUN Track Performer of the Week title for the second time this season. He topped the 60m hurdles at the Bellarmine Classic and currently holds third place in the ASUN rankings.
Bellarmine’s throwers are also making waves. Sophomore Will Bracher ranks third in shot put with a personal best of 15.81m, while freshman Dylan Forster follows closely in fifth. Junior Enrico Busato completes the trio at eighth with 13.92m. Bracher is also fourth in the weight throw with a distance of 16.73m.
On the track, senior Jackson Gordon is making strides in the 400m, holding second place with a time of 48.18 seconds. Sophomore Grant King isn’t far behind, sitting ninth in the same event and holding fifth in the 200m.
Freshman Tola Taiwo has entered the rankings at seventh in the triple jump, while senior Zac Hutslar is eighth in the long jump. The 4×400 relay team, featuring King, freshman Tucker Smith, Hutslar, and Gordon, is leading the conference with a time of 3:16.54.
The women’s team is also shining. Junior Amelia Svidal ranks fourth in the women’s triple jump and sixth in long jump, while junior Aubrey Lane is fifth in the 800m with a time of 2:16.61. Caysie Brady is making history as she sets a new freshman record in the weight throw at 15.98m during the Bellarmine Classic.
This season has seen remarkable achievements not only for Bellarmine but also within the wider athletic community. According to a recent NCAA report, indoor track events are experiencing unprecedented participation rates, especially among female athletes, highlighting a growing interest in the sport.
As the team prepares for this pivotal invitational, the atmosphere is charged with anticipation. Fans and fellow athletes will be watching closely as the Knights strive for new records and continue to elevate their performance!
