LAYLA BLAZES A TRAIL

by David Harris

Layla Haynes obliterated the national women’s 1500 metres record in a blazing time of 4.16.85 on the first day of the East Coast Relays at the Hodges Stadium at the University of North Florida over the weekend. 

 Haynes impressive performance surpassed the previous record of 4.25.61 set by Sade Sealy, at the Louis Lynch Championships in 2020.  

The 20-year-old middle–distance runner record breaking run came in her first collegiate 1500m race for the University of Florida (the Florida Gators) and stole the spotlight at the two-day meet which began on Friday and ended on Saturday. 

Ane Martin Del Campo of the Florida International University placed second with a time of 4:23.20, and Hannah Diete of the University of Tampa (4:23.33) came third. 

Haynes has been on a record-breaking streak this year, on January 31 st broke the national indoor 800m with a time of 2.03.89 at the Razorback Invitational, at the Randal Tyson Track Centre, Fayetteville, Arkansas; erasing the time of 2.03.82 set by Sonia Gaskin. 

Two weeks later Haynes lowered her own record to 2.03.82 while competing at the Tyson Invitational. The student-athlete is scheduled to compete at the Southeastern Conference Outdoor Track& Field Championship which will take place from May 14 to May 16.