Story Links
Feb. 20, 2004
Virginia’s Rachel Marks hit a three-inch personal best in the high jump, leaping 5′ 10″ to take runner-up honors at the ACC Indoor Track and Field Championships which are being contested in Clemson, S.C. Marks’ leap is an NCAA Provisional mark and moves her to the #4 performer all-time at Virginia as only the fourth Cavalier to clear that height in school history. Teammate Meggie Schuelke was right in step, finishing third with a leap of 5′ 8.5″. Marks and Schuelke helped the Cavaliers to sixth place overall with 23.5 points after only six events. Will Christian led the men’s effort, taking fourth in the 5K, running 14:41.00, Virginia’s fastest this season.
Fourth-year Caroline Harvey hit a personal record in the long jump, clearing six meters for the first time with a 6.04m (19′ 9.75″) en route to a fourth-place finish. Harvey’s time in the 60 of 7.67 was also a Cavalier season-best. Virginia’s distance medley team, composed of three first-years and a fourth-year, took fourth with a season-best time of 11:49.12. The team of Janine Ricci, Erin Crawford, Huma Husain and Melanie Matthews lowered the Cavaliers’ best 2004 time by over eight seconds.
Sharon O’Connor, a third-place finisher in the mile last year, qualified for the finals a second consecutive year, running a season-best 4:54.29. Teammate Angie Saterstad, a first-year competing in her first ACC Championships, ran Virginia’s fastest 5K on the year with a 17:30.08.
On the men’s side, McGavock Dunbar continued his hot streak, winning his heat of the 800m run in 1:53.54 to advance to the championship final tomorrow. Teammate Matt Antunes ran a 1:54.93 and just missed qualifying for the finals.
Kellen Blassingame also qualified for the finals, running a 48.96 in the 400, winning his heat and advancing to Saturday. Gemayel Hazard will also run tomorrow after qualfying for the 60-meter hurdle final with a season-best 8.12 in the preliminary round.
Greg Blair took fifth in the pole vault with a personal best 15′ 5″, moving him to #8 all-time at Virginia.
David Sullivan stands fifth with 2837 points after the first day of the indoor heptathlon as just 165 points separating places 2-6.
The ACC Indoor Track and Field Championships conclude tomorrow, Saturday, Feb 21.
Full Virginia results below:
WOMEN: 60m: Harvey, 7.67; Tiffany Roberts, 7.85; 200m: Roberts, 26.14; 800m: Husain, 2:17.07; Erin Crawford, 2:17.45; Mile: O’Connor, 4:54.29q; 5000m: Saterstad, 17:30.08; Kelly Behan, 17:32.94; Laura Hodges, 17:50.08; Cheryl Carr, 18:15.52; DMR: 11:49.12, 4th; HJ: Marks, 1.78m, 2nd, NCAA Prov; Schuelke, 1.74m, 3rd; LJ: Harvey, 6.04m, 4th.
MEN: 60m: Michael Johnson, 6.91; Isi Azeke, 7.13; Shadion Buckley, 7.19; 200m: Blassingame, 22.11; Azeke, 22.81; Schulman, 23.18; Buckley, 23.50; 400m: Blassingame, 48.96q; Jason Young, 49.17; Schulman, 51.65; 800m: Dunbar, 1:53.54q; Antunes, 1:54.93; Britt, 1:57.74; Kouchouk, 1:57.92; Mile: Kevin McHale, 4:21.62; 5000m: Christian, 14:41.00, 4th; Ryan Neuhart, 15:07.60; Matt Gutridge, 15:26.06; James Atchinson, 15:37.00; 60HH: Hazard, 8.12q; Azeke, 8.23; Herb Reid, 8.27; DMR (Antunes, Young, Britt, Sullivan) 10:35.39, 8th; PV: Blair, 4.70m, 5th; Sullivan, 4.55m; LJ: Buckley, 6.59m; Devin Canaday, 6.26m; SP: Walker Anderson, 15.13m; Hept: Sullivan, 2837