GAINESVILLE, Fl. – Record runs by senior Liz Reid and freshman Crystal Johnson in the 200-meter dash highlighted the opening day of the Pepsi Florida Relays for the Towson University women's track and field team Thursday at James G. Pressley Stadium.
 
How It Happened

• Reid became the first Towson University athlete to finish a 200-meter race in under 24 seconds.
• In establishing a program record in the 200, Reid crossed the finish line in 23.91 seconds, which was 19th overall.
• Johnson won her heat in a time of 24.20 seconds, which is a personal best and the third best in program history.
• Johnson's time was 30th overall.
• There were 116 participants that competed in the 200.
• Freshman Olivia Janke won her heat of the 5,000-meter run in a personal best time of 17:17.70.
• Janke was eighth overall in her race.

 
Quotable
Reid on setting a program mark.
"I am very excited to be the first in program history to run 23. It is a goal that I have had for a long time so it was exciting to finally break the barrier. University of Florida has a great facility and environment to run fast. It's exciting to compete at such a high level. I felt great in my race so I was super excited to see that I ran the time I was hoping for."
 
Reid on what helped her during her race.
"I have been working on getting a better start out of the blocks. I had a better start today, which put me in a good spot to run well throughout the race. It was really great to be in the 200 at this meet for the first time and it was even better that I got to run with my teammate, Crystal Johnson. It was great to experience together, especially because we both ran PRs."
 
Towson head women's track and field coach Mike Jackson on Towson's performance.
"Liz always gives great effort in everything she does. This was a solid week of practice where we did a few things to ensure that she'd have a great race today. I am also proud of Crystal, who ran a PR and will have a great chance to compete at the USA under 20 championships in late June."
 
Up Next
The following athletes will compete for the Tigers on the second day of the Pepsi Florida Relays: Phontavia Sawyer (discus, 11:30 a.m.), Michella Obijiaku & Taylor Giles (hammer, 12 p.m.), Victoria Jones-Alleyne (100-meter hurdles, 12:15 p.m.), Reid (400, 1:45 p.m.), Hayley Horvath (pole vault, 3 p.m.) and Kylie Anicic (1,500-meter run, 8:20 p.m.).