Florida State University Athletics
Cunningham’s Record-Setting Run Leads 3-Win NYC Day
1/25/2019 10:34:34 PM | General, Men's Track and Field, Track and Field
NEW YORK, N.Y. – Further cementing the special relationship he has with The Armory’s New Balance Track & Field Center, Florida State sophomore Trey Cunningham turned in a record-setting performance in Friday’s 60-meter hurdles final of the Dr. Sander Invitational.
In addition to setting the facility and meet records at the historic venue, Cunningham’s winning time of 7.53 gave him a share of the Florida State record, set by Drew Brunson in his 2008 NCAA Championship victory.
It was a major breakthrough for Cunningham, who set the IAAF World U20 record at the Armory as a high school senior in 2017.
Entering the meet with a collegiate personal-best of 7.70, but coming off a poor performance in the final at Clemson’s Orange & Purple Elite two weeks ago, the Winfield, Ala. native flashed his record-setting form in the prelims (7.71) before obliterating the field in the final.
“I knew that I was capable of something special with the times that we have gotten at practice,” Cunningham said. “And being back at the Armory, I knew that the atmosphere there can help in fast times.”
Cunningham’s transition to a seven-step start to the first hurdle was on point from the gun; something that was missing at Clemson, when he reverted to his nine-step start.
“I’m relieved because I knew I was capable of the time that I ran today,” he said. “This time confirms that there is more to come.”
Cunningham’s 7.53 is tied for the ninth-fastest in NCAA history and ranks No. 2 in both the NCAA and the World this year, trailing only Florida’s Grant Holloway.
“Today he took care of his new seven-step attack and the results are actually what we hoped for,” said Brandon Hon, FSU’s director of sprints, hurdles and relays. “This is a major impact for an elite hurdler, to get credit for his hard work in such a big way – an historic record in a historic facility. He’s officially one of the fastest to ever do it in NCAA history and that fuels the hunger for more.”
The Noles stole the show throughout the day at The Armory, following up a sweep of preliminary heats by delivering wins in the women’s 60-meter dash and 60-meter hurdles.
Cortney Jones and Ashley Miller got the finals party started, finishing 1-2 in the 60-meter hurdles final. Jones won in 8.14 while Miller close behind in 8.26.
Closing furiously, sophomore Jayla Kirkland ran down teammate Ka’Tia Seymour to win the 60-meter dash title in 7.28. Seymour was second in 7.30, while Shauna Helps was sixth in 7.49.
The finals were merely a continuation from the FSU-dominated preliminary round, with Noles going a perfect 6-for-6 with heat victories. Helps and Seymour posted matching 60-meter prelim times of 7.40 to lead all entrants, while Kirkland was third-fastest overall (7.41), each winning their heats.
Jones (8.27) and Miller (8.36) followed suit with heat wins and the top two preliminary times in the 60-meter hurdles. Cunningham completed the sweep, blasting the field in the men’s 60-meter hurdles in 7.71; just .01 off his personal-best.
The Noles will wrap up competition Saturday at the Dr. Sander Invitational with Kirkland and Cunningham competing in the 200, while redshirt freshman Karimah Davis races in the 400, joined by teammate Janae Caldwell for the women and Kyle Fearrington for the men.
You can follow the action via Twitter @FSU_Track and check back Saturday night for a complete recap at Seminoles.com.