Virginia Jumps Out to Strong Start at Virginia Tech Invitational
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Virginia triple jumpers Rashawnda James and Marcus Robinson both vaulted into the top-10 all-time in school history with their opening jumps of the 2008 season and their first marks in their collegiate careers. James leapt 39’ 9.75” and took fifth while Robinson jumped 47’ 5.75” and finished eighth. James’ mark places her tenth all-time at UVa while Robinson moves into the No. 9 spot in school history. Adams Abdulrazaaq also jumped into the top-10 all-time with his 7.54 in the 55-meter hurdles.
James finished just ahead of teammate Katie Tershel, who took seventh with her 39’ .5”. Alexa Manning also took a top-eight finish with her fourth-place mark in the weight after a toss of 52’ 1”. On the track, Janne’a Bridgeford’s 7.08 in the prelims qualified her for the finals and also moved her to the No. 6 position all-time in the event at UVa, up from her current rank of eighth. Ayla Smith also improved on the all-time lists, using her 8.01 in the 55-meter hurdles where she finished fifth to move to No. 3 all-time at UVa, just .01 out of the third positions.
Abdulrazaaq also finished seventh in the 300, clocking a 34.63. Reuben Jones hit a PR in the 55 by .01, running a 6.39 in both the prelims and the finals, where he finished sixth.
Action continues tomorrow at Rector Field House in Blacksburg.
Full results:
WOMEN:
55: Janne’a Bridgeford, 7th, 7.08p; Talia Wise, 7.24; Kisha Garrick, 7.32; Galyn Iloka, 7.34; Katie Tershel, 7.62; 300: Keshia Ashe, 43.15; 500: Ayla Smith, 1:15.05; Hilary Moen, 1:19.95; 55H: Ayla Smith, 5th, 8.01; Keshia Ashe, 8.44; Kristina Chapman, 8.48; Chidimma Uche, 8.53; Hilary Moen, 8.97; Anna Grant, 9.29; DMR, 3rd, 12:08.15; DMR B, 6th, 12:30.77; TJ: Rashawnda James, 5th, 39’ 9.75”; Katie Tershel, 7th, 39’ 0.50”; Assiatu Williams, 33’ 11.50”; PV: Katie Darragh, 11’ 1.75”; WT: Alexa Manning, 4th, 52’ 1.0”; Amy Bilmanis, 46’ 6.75”
MEN:
55: Reuben Jones, 6th, 6.39; Brandon Carter, 6.52; Conlon Bonner, 6.55; 300: Adams Abdulrazaaq, 7th, 34.63; Conlon Bonner, 34.78; Meikle Paschal, 34.94; Rainer Fiala, 35.42; Leandre Sherill, 36.48; 500: Andrew Lobb, 1:07.08; 55H: Adams Abdulrazaaq, 7.54; Greg Nelson, 8.02; David Lewis, 8.09; WT: Kyle Galle, 40’ 5.0”; TJ: Marcus Robinson, 8th, 47’ 5.75”