Heineking, Vannoy Win Events on Final Day of Virginia Tech Invitational

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BLACKSBURG, Va. – Junior Emil Heineking and freshman Emily Vannoy kept things rolling for the Virginia track and field team at the season-opening Virginia Tech Invitational on Saturday, with each winning their respective events.

Heineking claimed the 5000m title, clocking in with a time of 14:29.99, while Vannoy won the shot put. Vannoy tossed 49’ 7.25” in her debut as a Cavalier – a mark that ranks fourth on Virginia’s all-time program records.

Sophomore Maureen Laffan also climbed up the program’s shot put charts, throwing a personal-best 47’ 8.5” to finish third at the meet and rank sixth in the record books.

Sophomore Robbie Eckardt joined Heineking in the 5000m and finished third with a time of 15:27.95. In the 3000m, junior Andrew Mearns finished fifth with a time of 8:34.94.

Virginia’s distance medley relay team of sophomore Rosemary Barber, senior Jen Hovland, sophomore Tasia Potasinski and senior Ariane Sloan finished runner-up to Arkansas, completing the relay in a time of 12:03.50.

In other field events, senior Katie Darraugh finished third in the pole vault, clearing 11’ 7.75”, while junior Greg Nelson finished fourth in the high jump with a mark of 6’ 8.75”. Junior Arthur Gennari also competed in the high jump, clearing 6’ 6.75” to finish sixth.

Virginia will return to Blacksburg, Va., next weekend to compete in the Hokie Invitational. Events will take place on Friday, Jan. 22 and Saturday, Jan. 23.