WKU Track and Field is set to kick off its 2025 indoor season at the 30th annual Rod McCravy Memorial Invitational, hosted by the University of Kentucky. The meet will take place Friday, January 10, and Saturday, January 11, at the Norton Healthcare Sports and Learning Center in Louisville, Kentucky.
Meet Information:
- Location: Norton Healthcare Sports and Learning Center, Louisville, KY
- Dates: Friday and Saturday, January 10-11, 2025
- Schedule: Action begins Friday at 11 a.m. with the women’s high jump and concludes Saturday at 2:40 p.m. with the men’s and women’s 4×400 meter relays.
Hilltoppers to Watch:
The Hilltoppers enter the 2025 indoor season building on a strong 2024 campaign that featured an individual conference champion and several medalists.
- Nick Fornoff: The high jump standout returns after finishing third in the event at last season’s Conference USA Indoor Championships.
- Kameron Horton: The Louisville native aims to continue his impressive trajectory following a stellar freshman season, which included a fifth-place finish in the 60-meter dash at the C-USA Indoor Championships and qualification for the NCAA East Regionals during the outdoor season.
- Ajla Basic: Returning for the weight throw, Basic secured a fifth-place finish in the event at last year’s conference championships and will compete alongside USC-Upstate transfer standout Jayla Gilbert this weekend.
- Kaison Barton: Barton looks to build on his career-best weight throw of 18.57 meters at last season’s C-USA Championships.
- Rachel Payne: The senior multi-athlete from Maysville, Kentucky, will compete in the 200-meter dash and high jump, aiming to start her final season strong.
- Mary Dye: Following a successful cross country season that earned her All-C-USA honors and an NCAA Regionals berth, Dye will represent WKU in the distance events.
Coach’s Perspective:
“The Rod McCravy Memorial Invitational is a special opportunity for our team to showcase the hard work they’ve put in throughout the season,” said assistant coach Jeff Henderson. “Each athlete has been grinding day in and day out, and this meet allows us to compete against some of the best, which is exactly what we need as we prepare for conference championships and nationals.”
Meet History and Significance:
The Rod McCravy Memorial Invitational honors the legacy of Rod McCravy, a standout track athlete at Kentucky who tragically passed away in 1987. A Kentucky native and two-time KHSAA state champion in the 300-meter hurdles, McCravy’s impact on the sport is celebrated annually through this high-level competition.
Scouting the Field:
The Hilltoppers will face elite competition, including SEC powerhouse Kentucky, in-state rival Louisville, and other top programs such as Ohio State, Ole Miss, Purdue, and UCF. Conference USA rival Louisiana Tech will also compete, providing an early-season test for the Tops.
Looking Ahead:
As WKU Track and Field opens its indoor season, the team’s focus remains on preparing for conference championships and national-level competition. This weekend’s invitational serves as a pivotal step in what promises to be an exciting season for the Hilltoppers.
