BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Alabama track and field wrapped up action at the Indiana Invitational Saturday as the team was highlighted by a trio of first-place finishes in the men’s heptathlon, men’s 3,000m and the men’s 4×400-meter relay.

Distance runner Hamdani Benahmed took a late lead in the men’s 3,000-meter race and never looked back, capturing the title in 8:06.84. Moments later, the Crimson Tide’s 4×400-meter relay contingent of Alexander Osayemi, David Thid, Alpha Balde and Mouatez Sikiou clocked a facility record time of 3:09.51 to take the victory. The time by the relay quartet ranks ninth in the NCAA this season.

Crimson Tide multi-athlete Patrick Daves concluded the men’s heptathlon with 2,284 earned points across the final three events (60m hurdles – 884 points; pole vault – 617; 1,000m – 783 points) on Saturday. At the end, Daves’ point accumulation of 5,081 sealed the heptathlon victory and moved him to No. 5 all-time at UA.

“It was a challenging weekend for us, but there were still valuable lessons to take away. We saw some athletes take steps forward and compete with confidence, even if the overall results didn’t reflect what we’re capable of as a team. Our focus now is on sharpening the details, building consistency and making sure these experiences translate into far better performances moving forward throughout the year.”

Up Next

• The Tide will return to action next weekend, Jan. 23-24, for the Orange and Purple Invitational in Clemson, S.C.

Day Two Top Results

• Heptathlon Day 2

  • 60m Hurdles
    
  • Pole Vault

    • 2^nd: Daves | 4.00m (13-1.50), PR – 617 points

  • 1,000m

    • 3^rd: Daves | 2:48.32 – 783 points

  • Final Point Total

    • 1^st: Daves | 5,081 points, PR, No. 5 all-time at UA

• Mile
  
• 800m
  
• 3,000m
  
• 4x400m Relay

  • 1^st: Alexander Osayemi, David Thid, Alpha Balde, Mouatez Sikiou | men’s | 3:09.51, facility record, new No. 9 NCAA
  • 4^th: Macauley Flanagan, Gianna Rizzo, Miracle Ailes, Coe | women’s | 3:47.49
  • 5^th: Mario Paul, Andrew Sirras, Bussey, Denver Cash | men’s | 3:13.10

• Shot Put