The UNF men’s and women’s track and field teams competed at the outdoor Duke Invitational April 3-4, bringing in new records against 50 colleges and universities including some best ranked in the nation.

“The team definitely pushed through some adversity and hardships, but it was a good practice for the team overall,” track head coach Mark VanAlstyne said in a press release.

The meet was a success for the freshmen on the team.

Freshman Rachel Stanley led the first day of the invitational, coming in fourth in the 400 meter hurdles.

Freshman Christina King took 10th in the triple jump, and freshman Laura Ragland came in 25th in the 1,500 meter while freshmen Brooke Baumann and Erin Heasley took 30th and 40th.

The first day of competition for the men’s individual rankings featured sophomore Will Pearce in seventh for the 1,500 meter, leaving close to 40 runners behind.

Other Ospreys who placed included freshman Cameron Dickerson, who finished ninth in the 3,000 meter, and sophomore Samuel Palmer in 10th in the 5,000 meter. Senior Patrick Canfield followed, taking 17th. Freshman Mike Strasser came in 33rd in the 1,500 meter.

During the second day, junior pole vaulter Anne DelBovo injured her head during a vault. She was a key member on several relay teams and a much needed pole vaulter at the Invitational, VanAlstyne said.

“Things are bound to go wrong, and we need to be prepared,” he said.

In the 800 meter, freshman Kayla Conrad took second place in her first heat, along with teammates senior Evelyn Moore in 11th and freshman Sianne Chong in 32nd.

Junior thrower Ashton McGuire took sixth in her heat with a 37.72-meter javelin throw and finished eighth overall.

Freshman Noah Thompson completed a 4.3-meter pole vault, putting him in 14th place, while Dickerson placed second in the 800 meter with a time of 1:55.04.

The track and field teams will continue to compete at the all-day April 11 FSU outdoor Invite in Tallahassee.

E-mail Heather Furey at [email protected].