TF2K23

Victoria Perrow's debut for Kentucky was successful as the transfer sprinter won her first final in the 60 meters.

After competing for Georgia, Perrow started her Kentucky career at the Commonwealth College Opener, hosted in Louisville, Kentucky on Sunday, Dec. 3. She recorded a first round 60 meters time of 7.40 before winning the final at 7.29. Over the weekend only three NCAA competitors ran under 7.30 in the 60 meters. Along with Perrow, Clemson's Kiara Grant won at 7.29 at the Clemson Opener. Youngstown State's Jahniya Bowers ran the fastest time of the weekend at 7.27 at the YSU Icebreaker.

Perrow, a sophomore from Potomac, Maryland competed in just three indoor meets before leaving Georgia last season. She recorded a time of 7.27 as a Bulldog which is the fourth fastest in program history. Prior to her collegiate career she was the 2021 Adidas Indoor Nationals 60 meters champ and the Maryland state record holder in the 60 meters for high school competitors.

Louisville sprinters Taylor Herbert and Synclair Savage followed up Perrow in the 60 meters with times of 7.39 and 7.53 respectively.

Kentucky's Masai Russell and Yasmin Brooks took the top two spots in the 60-meter hurdles with respective finishes of 8.11 and 8.34. Russell was the NCAA runner-up in the 60-meter hurdles last season. Brooks is a transfer from Penn State. She won the Big Ten championship in the 60-meter hurdles in 2022. Northern Kentucky freshman Erin Starkes had a good showing at 8.87, placing third in her first collegiate 60-meter hurdles final. The flashy and stylish athlete should be in the running for the conference title in the Horizon League.

Russell also recorded a win in the 200 meters at 23.51 seconds. That was a personal best for the senior who like Perrow is also from Potomac, Maryland. She placed ahead of teammate All-American and NCAA record holding 1,600-meter relay champion Karimah Davis who ran a time of 23.61 in a separate heat.

Kentucky also dominated in the shotput with Simi Akinrinsola taking first at 15 meters, a personal best. The graduate thrower who is a native of Indianapolis, Indiana was the only competitor that hit a mark of over 14 meters, which she accomplished on four of six throws. Akinrinsola placed ahead of teammate Annika Williams who also recorded a career best throw at 13.70. Leah Moore also of Kentucky was third at 13.16.

Another NCAA track and field power, Texas had a presence at the Commonwealth College Opener. Texas All-American Kennedy Simon won the 500 meters at 1:08.59. Simon is coming off of a successful 2022 season where she was the Big 12 indoor 400 meters champion before taking the silver medal in the 400 meters at the NCAA indoor championships.

Another Longhorn All-American, Brooke Jaworski earned a win in the 600 meters at 1:31.37. Jaworski, a native of Wausau, Wisconsin has competed in three 600 meters races over her career, never placing less than third. She is currently the reigning 800 meters champ of the Big 12. She also won conference gold in the 400-meter hurdles during the 2021 outdoor season. During her rookie season Jaworski took Big 12 championships in the 600 yards, distance medley relay and 1,600-meter relay.

Texas also got a win in the long jump as freshman Ackelia Smith dominated with a mark of 6.73. She was the only jumper that hit a mark over six meters. She scored her winning jump with her first attempt and passed on her final three attempts as she had a well secured lead. Kentucky's Anthaya Charlton was second at 5.94.

Other programs that competed were Bellarmine, Bluefield State, Campbellsville, Cumberlands, Eastern Kentucky, Evansville, Kentucky, Kentucky State, Kentucky Wesleyan, Lincoln Memorial, Lipscomb, Louisville, Northern Kentucky, Oakland City, Texas, Tusculum, Union.