Glasco embracing expectations

One week ago and just four days after the season opening Commonwealth College Opener, there was a triangular meet in Louisville, Kentucky.

On Dec. 11, Kentucky, Texas and host Louisville, all began their seasons at the Louisville Opener. Each school has participated at least one of the previous three Commonwealth College Opener meets, but this year, they all elected to skip out and have a meet amongst themselves.

At this meet there were new and familiar talents that showed promise for the coming new year. One of the familiar faces that took the track was Alexis Glasco. Now in her second year at Kentucky, Glasco was a 2023 First-Team All-American 100-meters hurdler when she competed at Coastal Carolina.

Last outdoor season, she returned to the NCAA outdoor meet, but as a member of the 1,600-meter relay. Glasco knows that this year she's expected to live up to the promise that she showed in 2023 when she placed sixth at the NCAA 100-meters final, while running for underdog Coastal Carolina.

"[At Kentucky] everybody has to set a standard," Glasco said, when describing the difference between expectations from her new school compared to her previous institution. "Practice is racing and it's way more demanding, but it's worth it."

Kentucky had a lot of representation at last summer's Olympic games as recent alums Masai Russell, Alexis Holmes and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone were all gold medalists. Their success has risen the profile of an already successful major collegiate program. Some athletes would tremble trying to live up to those legacies, but Glasco sees it as motivation.

"It's not overwhelming, it's actually a good feeling," Glasco said. "It makes me happy being able to train with them, knowing I have a world record holder [and] Olympic gold medalist. It's inspiration. I enjoy it. It challenges me, pushes me and it's just good overall. Good experience."

In a 60-meter hurdles race that included just three Kentucky participants and nobody else, Glasco finished with the top time of 8.21 seconds. Over the first two weeks of the season, Glasco's time is tied for third best in all of the NCAA. The senior finished the race ahead of sophomore Emmi Scales (8.34) and freshman Kori Martin (8.82).

A new Kentucky Wildcat that shined was freshman Sharmelle Holmes who edged out Louisville NCAA qualifying sprinter, senior Kiyah Yeast, 7.364 to 7.367. Holmes outpacing Yeast, who ran a career fastest time as well, was a strong start for a collegiate season. She's currently tied for the ninth best time in all of the NCAA so far this season.

There were not traditional races like the 200 meters or 400 meters but when it came to the 300 meters and 500 meters, Texas was the boss. First-Team All-American sprinter Kenondra Davis took the 300 meters at 37.53, while Akala Garrett breezed to a 500 meters win at 1:10.40.

Davis and Garrett were a part of Texas' winning 1,600-meter relay squad at the Louisville Opener as well. They teamed with Carleta Bernard and Lauren Lewis to finish at 3:38.46. Davis, Garrett and Lewis were three of the four sprinters that earned a top three 1,600-meter relay finish at the NCAA Championships last outdoor season.

The hometown Louisville Cardinals had some winning performances as well. Lucy Fellows participated in her third collegiate pentathlon competition, scoring a career 3,947 points in the win. She is currently fourth in all of the NCAA with that total.

Louisville's legacy in the pole vault is in good hands with Natalie Lark. She hit a career best winning mark of 4.30 meters. Like Fellows, she sits fourth in the NCAA as well. Lark qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Championships in 2024. She also earned silver medals at the ACC indoor and outdoor championships.

As for the Louisville pole vault legacy, Gabriela Leon set a high standard during her days as a Cardinal. She was the first woman in program history to win an NCAA championship. Leon won the title in 2022.