Latavia Maines captured All-America honors for the ninth time in her career – the fifth Division I All-America accolade – as she placed 12th in the women’s shot put, garnering second-team recognition. The senior’s best throw on the night sailed 16.96m (55-7.75).
In the decathlon, Yariel Soto placed 10th overall with 7,668 points. He earned Second Team All-America with his placement and has now picked up All-America honors indoors in the heptathlon and outdoors in the decathlon.
En route to his 10th-place finish, Soto set personal bests in the 110-meter hurdles at 15.28 seconds and in the 1,500m run at 4:27.48.
Sophomore Joella Lloyd put down a blistering 100-meter dash Thursday as she qualified for Saturday’s 100m final. The sprinter finished third in her heat at 11.08 seconds, setting a personal-best time. Her mark is also the second-fastest in Lady Vol history.
Lloyd returned to the track later in the evening to run in the semifinals of the women’s 200m, looking to qualify for the finals in a second event. The St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda, native did just that as she placed second in her heat, running a personal best at 22.66 seconds.
Her time is the fourth-quickest in outdoor Lady Vol history.
Lloyd will run in the 100m final at 6:22 p.m. ET, followed by the 200m final at 7:07 p.m. on Saturday.
ADVANCING TO FINALS
Joella Lloyd – Women’s 100m – 11.08
Joella Lloyd – Women’s 200m – 22.66
ALL-AMERICANS
Yariel Soto – Decathlon – Second Team
Latavia Maines – Women’s Shot Put – Second Team
Uchechi Nwogwugwu – Women’s 4x400mR – Honorable Mention
Allison Rand – Women’s 4x400mR – Honorable Mention
Kyla Robinson-Hubbard – Women’s 4x400mR – Honorable Mention
Mia O’Neil – Women’s 4x400mR – Honorable Mention
PR TRACKER
Joella Lloyd – Women’s 100m – 11.08 – 2nd in Tennessee History
Joella Lloyd – Women’s 200m – 22.66 – 4th in Tennessee History
Yariel Soto – Decathlon 110mH – 15.28
Yariel Soto – Decathlon 1,500m – 4:27.48
ROSS WATCH
Incoming Tennessee Director of Track & Field Duane Ross had three female athletes qualify for finals on Thursday night. For the North Carolina A&T men and women, that is six athletes competing in individual event finals as well as the men’s 4×100-meter relay and 4×400-meter relay clinching spots in the finals.
Women’s 100mH – One athlete advancing to finals
Women’s 100m – One athlete advancing to finals
Women’s 200m – One athlete advancing to finals
UP NEXT
The men return to action Friday as they wrap up the 2022 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. The Vols begin the day at 9:02 p.m. ET with the finals of the 4x100m Relay. Jalen Tate will compete in the men’s triple jump at 9:20 p.m., while Favour Ashe closes out the night in the 100m dash at 9:52 p.m.
For the most up-to-date information on Tennessee track & field, follow @Vol_Track on Twitter and Instagram.
