Kaila Jackson Debuts With World’s No. 2 Time

Friday, January 13

Clemson, SC

University of Georgia

Clemson Invite

January 13, 2023 | Track & Field

CLEMSON, S.C. --- Freshman Kaila Jackson ran for the first time in a Lady Bulldog uniform and left with one of the best 60-meter dash times in school history and in the world this year to highlight the first day of action at the Clemson Invite on Friday.

Jackson, a native of Redford, Mich., rocketed to the 60m finish line in 7.18 for runner-up honors in the final.  This is the second-fastest time in school history (best since Kate Hall's school record 7.17 in 2018) and No. 10 on the world's all-time under-20 list.  Jackson's time ranks No. 2 in the world and NCAA this year behind the race's winner, Florida's Talitha Diggs (7.14).

Jackson's fellow freshman teammate Autumn Wilson was fifth in the 60m final with another of UGA's best times in history.  The Austin, Texas, native shot to a 7.24, moving into a tie for third on Georgia's all-time top-10 list.  Jackson ignited the track with a 7.20 in the prelims while  Wilson, who was sixth in the prelims, had her first 7.24 of the day in the opening round.

In the men's 60m prelims, Black scorched a 6.70 (fifth) to equal the sixth-best time in Bulldog history and then did not run in the final.

Another freshman, Haley Tate, left the track with the 10^th-best 400m time in school history (best since 2018) with a 54.48 for bronze honors.

Junior KC Heron edged the nearest competitor by .20 to pick up the victory in the 1000m thanks to a 2:23.47. This is the No. 2 time in school history, best since Jimmy Futch's 1000m school record of 2:22.40 from 1981. Freshman Will Sumner checked in at 2:25.33 for sixth.

The Lady Bulldogs managed fifth and sixth-place finishes in the weight throw.  Redshirt sophomore Elsie Igberaese completed her series with a mark of 18.64 meters/61 feet, 9 ¾ inches to take fifth while senior Ana da Silva launched a sizable personal best (18.21m/59-9) for land one spot behind her teammate.

Lady Bulldog sophomore hurdlers flew across the 60m hurdle line in fifth and sixth.  Bella Witt recorded an 8.38 while Eddiyah Frye finished in 8.40.  On the men's side, senior Kyle Garland clocked a 6.94 in the men's 60m hurdle prelims as he began training for the multi-events.

Georgia also went fifth-sixth-seventh in the 1000m.  Redshirt sophomore Charlotte Augenstein led her freshmen teammates by registering a 2:52.57 and Simone Rojas (2:56.05) and Lily Cincola (2:57.74) finished in a row behind her.

Yet another fifth-place finish came from graduate transfer Zoe Pollock, who completed her 1000m laps in 1:33.22.  Later in the men's 400m, junior Caleb Cavanaugh finished fifth after knocking out two laps in 48.16.

Also of note, freshman heptathlete Ella Rush soared 6.04m/19-9.75 on her opening attempt in the long jump to finish sixth.

Where To Catch The Clemson Invite: There will be ESPN streaming coverage beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday.

SEC Network+ info:
Day Two – Saturday, January 14
SEC Network+ - 2 http://gado.gs/9x7

Live Results: For results throughout the weekend, please visit: http://gado.gs/9x5

What's Next For The Bulldogs?: Sophomore Elena Kulichenko starts the action in the women's high jump at 10:30 a.m. Saturday.  Kulichenko was fourth at her first SEC Indoor Championships last year before earning First Team All-America honors at Nationals.

Where To Find Bulldogs News: Results and recaps from the Clemson Invite will be found at georgiadogs.com.  News and updates from Georgia's track and field and cross country teams are always located on Twitter/Instagram at @UGATrack.