The Louisville Cardinals kicked off the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field East Preliminary Round with a bang on Thursday, May 29, 2025, as redshirt senior Synclair Savage stole the show, punching her ticket to the NCAA Outdoor Championships with a program-record performance in the women’s long jump. Despite weather challenges at the University of Kentucky’s Outdoor Track & Field Facility, the Cards showcased depth and resilience across multiple events to open regional competition.
Savage’s Historic Leap
After missing the entire 2024 season due to injury, Synclair Savage made her return to the NCAA East Prelims a memorable one. The redshirt senior soared to a personal-best and school-record mark of 6.64m (21-9.5) in the women’s long jump, clinching her third career berth to the NCAA Outdoor Championships. The jump, which came on her third and final attempt, eclipsed her own program record of 6.53m (21-5.25) set at the 2023 Texas Relays. Savage’s performance not only secured her spot in Eugene, Ore., for the national meet (June 11-14, 2025) but also underscored her status as one of the nation’s elite jumpers.
“Synclair’s resilience is unreal,” head coach Danielle Anderson said post-meet. “To come back from a lost season and break your own record in that moment—it’s what makes her special.”
Yeast Sprints Toward History
On the track, redshirt senior Kiyah Yeast kept the momentum rolling, advancing out of the first round in the women’s 200m with a strong 23.23-second performance, good for second in her heat despite a lengthy weather delay. The time positions Yeast to chase her first-ever NCAA Outdoor Championships berth in the 200m during Saturday’s quarterfinals at 7:50 p.m. ET. Earlier in the day, Yeast also competed in the women’s 100m, clocking 11.49 to finish 40th overall.
“Kiyah’s ability to stay locked in through the delay was huge,” Anderson noted. “She’s got a real shot to make some noise on Saturday.”
Depth in the Jumps and Throws
Sophomore Sophia Day capped a breakout season in the women’s long jump, posting a 5.97m (19-7) mark to finish 25th. While her day in the long jump ended, Day will get another crack at the runway in the women’s triple jump on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. ET, looking to build on her impressive 2025 campaign.
In the men’s pole vault, Ty McPhail tied for 23rd with a clearance of 5.18m (17-0), while Lucas Couron tied for 32nd at 5.03m (16-6). Meanwhile, Noah Koch wrapped up Louisville’s field events with a 18.03m (59-2) toss in the men’s shot put, good for 24th.
Weather Wreaks Havoc
Mother Nature threw a curveball, halting the women’s pole vault mid-competition due to rainy conditions. At the time of suspension, Ashley Callahan sat in a tie for first after clearing 4.09m (13-5) on her first attempt, while Iliana Triantafyllou was tied for 10th after clearing 3.94m (12-11) but missing her first try at 4.09m. The event will resume Friday at 9:30 a.m. ET. Additionally, the women’s shot put, featuring Jayden Ulrich, was postponed to Friday at 10:00 a.m. ET due to the weather.
Looking Ahead
Friday’s schedule promises more action for the Cardinals, with the men’s squad sending three athletes to compete in two events to close out the third day of regional competition. The women’s pole vault and shot put will also take center stage in the morning. A full rundown of Louisville’s Friday events is below:
9:30 a.m. ET: Women’s Pole Vault (Resumed) – Ashley Callahan, Iliana Triantafyllou
10:00 a.m. ET: Women’s Shot Put – Jayden Ulrich
[Additional men’s events TBD]
The Big Picture
Day one was a strong start for Louisville, with Savage’s record-breaking performance and Yeast’s 200m advancement setting the tone. As the Cards navigate the weather-altered schedule and gear up for critical events on Friday and Saturday, their depth and star power make them a team to watch in Lexington. Savage’s trip to nationals is locked in, but Yeast, Day, Ulrich, and others have a chance to join her in Eugene if they can deliver in the coming days.
Friday Competition Schedule
9:30 a.m. ET | Women’s Pole Vault | Ashley Callahan, Iliana Triantafyllou
10:00 a.m. ET | Women’s Shot Put | Jayden Ulrich
2:30 p.m. ET | Men’s Triple Jump | Miller Jones, Roman Kuleshov
5:40 p.m. ET | Men’s 3000m Steeplechase | Geoffrey Kirwa
The link to live results for the meet can be found here, while the full schedule of events can be found here. Tomorrow’s competition will be streamed on ESPN+ beginning at 5:00 p.m. ET.
NCAA East Regional – Day Two
May 29, 2025
Jacksonville, Fla. | Visit Jax Track at Hodges Stadium
* = Personal Record
(sr) = School Record
(q) = Qualified for Quarterfinals
Women’s 100m – Preliminaries
Kiyah Yeast – 11.49
Women’s 200m – Preliminaries
Kiyah Yeast – 23.23 (q)
Women’s Long Jump
Synclair Savage – 6.64m (21-9.5) * (sr)
Sophia Day – 5.97m (19-7)
Men’s Pole Vault
Ty McPhail – 5.18m (17-0)
Lucas Couron – 5.03m (16-6)
Men’s Shot Put
Noah Koch – 18.03m (59-2)
