The Kentucky Wildcats kicked off their NCAA East First Rounds campaign on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at Hodges Stadium, but not without a challenge from Mother Nature. A three-and-a-half-hour lightning delay pushed action well into Thursday morning, with the Wildcats finally closing out day one in a pair of track events at the University of North Florida-hosted meet.
Late-Night Sprints Cap Day One
In the penultimate event of the night, the men’s 200m first round saw Miles Jones and 2025 NCAA Indoor Champion Carlie Makarawu take the track under the lights. Makarawu, already a proven star, punched his ticket to Friday’s final with a strong fourth-place finish, clocking 20.56 seconds. Jones’ result wasn’t specified, leaving his status for the next round uncertain, but Makarawu’s performance gave the Wildcats a late highlight after a long day of waiting out the weather.
“The delay was tough, but our guys stayed focused,” head coach Lonnie Greene said post-meet. “Carlie showed why he’s a champion—stepping up when it matters most.”
Day Two Preview: From Hammer Throw to Sprints
Day two promises a full slate of action for Kentucky, starting bright and early after weather-related rescheduling. The women’s hammer throw first round, featuring senior Kate Powers, is now set for 8:00 a.m. EST. Powers, an SEC medalist, will look to make her mark and potentially secure a trip to the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Ore. (June 11-14, 2025).
The Wildcats will close out Friday with a trio of sprinters in the women’s 200m first round at 5:15 p.m. EST. Hannah Douglas, Sharmelle Holmes, and Stacey Onyepunuka will aim to join Makarawu in advancing, bringing their speed and SEC experience to a competitive field.
Results and Schedule
- Day One Results (Wednesday, May 28)
- Men’s 200m First Round: Carlie Makarawu – 4th (20.56, advances to Friday’s final); Miles Jones – result TBD.
- Day Two Schedule (Friday, May 30)
- 8:00 a.m. EST: Women’s Hammer Throw First Round – Kate Powers
- 5:15 p.m. EST: Women’s 200m First Round – Hannah Douglas, Sharmelle Holmes, Stacey Onyepunuka
The Big Picture
Despite the lightning delay, Kentucky got off to a solid start in Jacksonville, with Makarawu leading the way. Day two offers more opportunities for the Wildcats to secure spots in Eugene, with Powers in the hammer throw and a talented trio in the women’s 200m headlining the action. As the East First Rounds continue through Saturday, the Cats will look to build momentum and add to their qualifiers list.
