Cavaliers head to Virginia Tech Challenge
Story Links
CHARLOTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia men’s and women’s track & field teams head to Blacksburg, Va., this weekend to compete in the VT Challenge, which begins at 5 p.m., on Fri., Feb. 22, in Rector Field House on the campus of Virginia Tech.
The women’s side has nine competitors ranked in the top-10 of the conference’s top performances in their respective events this season, in addition to a relay, competing this weekend.
For the sprinters, senior Janne’a Bridgeford will be looking to break her season-high time of 7.68 in the 60-meter dash, while in mid-distance races, Sara Casscells will run the 800 meters. Casscells best performance of 2:11.11 ranks fifth among ACC performers this season.
Freshman Rashawnda James and junior Alexa Manning’s two top-10 performances lead the women’s field events this season. James hold’s the sixth best triple jump in the league, with a jump of 39’ 9.75” / 12.13m, and the ninth best long jump (18’ 8” / 5.69m). Manning’s throw of 48’ 11.75” / 14.93m in the shot put ranks eighth, while her 20-Lb. weight throw of 59’ 9” / 16.69m ranks ninth.
Senior Katie Tershel also holds a top-10 mark in the triple jump, with a 39’ 0.5” / 11.90m mark. Freshman Assiatu Williams put in the eighth best performance around the league in the high jump (5’ 6.5” / 1.69m), while sophomore Katie Darraugh ranks 10th in the pole vault (11’ 9.25” / 3.59m).
The women’s 4×400 meter relay team ranks sixth in the ACC, with a time of 3:51.32.
Representing the men will be 10 top-10 conference performers, led by senior Reuben Jones’ seventh place time of 6.79 in the 60-meter dash and ninth ranked time in the 200 meters (21.82). Freshman Conlon Bonner also holds a top-time in the 200 meters, finishing in 21.79 to hold the eighth place spot.
In mid-distances, senior All-American Jordan Orr will run the 800 meters, and holds the eighth fastest time of 1:53.62 in the conference. In the mile run, ACC Champion Andy Biladeau holds the second best time in the league (4:10.09), while junior Kevin Tschirhart is 10th with a time of 4:13.23. Freshman Adams Abdulrazaaq ranks ninth in the 60-meter hurdles, finishing the sprint in 8.16.
The men’s field events are led by junior All-American Yemi Ayeni, who has a third place throw of 57’ 10.25” / 17.63m in the shot put. In the high jump, sophomore Arthur Gennari holds sixth with a jump of 6’ 8.75” / 2.05m. In the triple jump, freshman Marcus Robinson ranks eighth with a jump of 47’ 5.75” / 14.47m, and Bonner ranks 10th in the long jump (23’ 2.50” / 7.07m).
The men’s 4×400 meter relay team ranks fifth with a 3:17.03 finish.
A schedule of events and live results can be viewed throughout the weekend at http://www.flashresults.com/2008_Meets/indoor/VirginiaTechChallenge.