Georgia track and field recorded eight wins and five NCAA regional qualifying marks during the second day of the Georgia Relays on Saturday.

“This was a successful first meet for us because the number one reason for a meet like this is to have a smooth transition from the indoor season to the outdoor season and I think we accomplished that this weekend,” said head coach Wayne Norton about his team’s performance at the 2009 outdoor opener. “Now we have the first meet out of the way and we can begin to concentrate on the heart of the season.”

After sitting out the 2008 season, junior Michelle Thompson made her presence known in the women’s javelin by winning with an NCAA regional qualifying mark of 162 feet, 4 inches. Thompson, who transferred from Cuyamaca College, had her top effort on her opening attempt to move to No. 5 on Georgia’s all-time list. Senior Julianne Toto won the women’s pole vault as two of her teammates tied for second. Toto cleared a regional qualifying height of 12-8 in a single try to cruise to a season-opening victory.

In the women’s 1500-meter run, junior Bridget Lyons recorded her first collegiate win by winning with a time of 4:47.52.

On the men’s side, Adam Sarafian kicked his season off with a win in the pole vault after clearing 15-9.

-Georgia sports

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