JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - A bit of history was made over the weekend at the University of North Florida Spring Break Open, as University of Tennessee at Martin juniors Justin Cacaro and Allen Thurman set three new program records in the first meet of the 2010 spring season.

Cacaro's times of 4:07.65 in the 1500 meter run, 15:10.92 in the 5000 meter run, and Thurman's time of 9:56.68 in the 3000 meter steeplechase all stand as new benchmarks in UT Martin cross country history.

"Allen had challenges just to get to the starting line, yet came away with a personal best and university record," Skyhawk head coach Gordon Sanders said. "Justin already had broken the UT Martin indoor track mile and 5000 records, so taking down two more marks wasn't a surprise. Both young men lead the team in their volume of training and obviously it is paying off."

It wasn't just a two-man show, however, as several Skyhawks earned personal bests in the record-low temperature that hit the state of Florida.

"Just as important (as Cacaro and Thurman breaking the records), seven other Skyhawks had large personal bests with three others just seconds away," Sanders said. "That is 12 of 14 racers performing especially well in our spring opener. Obviously we are looking forward to the rest of the season that continues after spring break."

In the same 1500 meter event that Cacaro broke the UT Martin record in, Thurman was just behind him - finishing a little over two seconds behind with a time of 4:09.67. Tallon Scott (4:15.26), Ryan Pett (4:20.36) and Trevor Hancock (4:44.50) also competed in the event for UT Martin. Pett and Hancock each took part in the 800 meter run event, with times of 2:03.35 and 2:10.77, respectively.

Cacaro's record-setting time in the 5000 meter run paced the seven Skyhawks who took part in that event, as Scott finished the next-highest with a time of 16:08.20. Jimmy Watkins-Lynch crossed the finish line next with a time of 16:20.32, while Tyler Holmes (16:42.22) and Benji Sparks (16:47.09) finished in back-to-back slots. Cody Lemmons (17:09.94) and Cannon Smalley (17:17.12) rounded out the field for UT Martin.

On the women's side, Shannon Wall and Ellie Luze each competed in the 1500 meter run, placing in back-to-back positions with times of 5:22.44 and 5:23.44, respectively. In the 5000 meter run, Wall and Luze picked up top-10 finishes. Wall earned sixth place with a time of 19:21.34 while Luze came in eighth place, compiling a final time of 19:47.32. Freshman Laura Wind (22:07.98) also competed in the event for the Skyhawks.

UT Martin will take a couple weeks away from competition before a meet at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo. on Saturday, April 3.

#SKYHAWKS#