The UNF track and field teams set the bar high for their 2009 season after competing in the Clemson Tiger Invite Jan. 9-10.

Both the men and women’s teams took second place out of eight teams in the distance medley, an event showcasing runners in 1200m, 800m, 400m and the 1600m as they raced for the best overall time.

The UNF field team did not score as well.

“I didn’t make opening height and was disappointed,” d freshman pole-vaulter Noah Thompson said. “It was my first college meet, and I was nervous going into it. I did, however, get onto the poles I wasn’t able to in practice.”

Although Thompson and the two other UNF pole-vaulters didn’t make their opening heights, the Osprey runners had no problem sprinting their way to the top of the leader board.

The men’s team, consisting of Will Pearce, Chris Fulcher, Cameron Dickerson and Jonathan Esteban followed close behind Kennesaw State University by 2 seconds.

And Pearce took first place out of 21 competitors in the one-mile event, while teammates Fulcher and Dickerson finished in fifth and seventh place.

The women’s team consisting of Brooke Baumann, SaLydia James, Evelyn Moore and Hillary Adams fell short of the University of Alabama, losing by 7 seconds within the four events.

But Adams won third place out of 22 in the 3,000m event, and Baumann took sixth in the one mile event. Moore placed seventh in the 800m in the field of 26 competitors.

The Ospreys will look to build on the teams’ successful turnouts at the Jimmy Carnes Invitational Feb. 8 in Gainesville.

E-mail Heather Furey at asst.sports@unfspinnaker.com.