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Virginia Opens Outdoor Track & Field Season at Virginia Cup
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March 23, 2013
CHARLOTTESVILLE – The Virginia men’s and women’s track and field teams began their outdoor season on Saturday by hosting the Virginia Cup at Lannigan Field. The Cavaliers won 10 individual events at the meet, which featured four men’s teams and five women’s teams.
In the team scoring, the Cavalier women split on the day, defeating Radford and VCU, but falling to James Madison and Liberty. The Virginia men were edged by Radford, VCU and Liberty.
“This was definitely a teaching moment,” said head coach Bryan Fetzer. “There were a lot of positives from today’s meet. A lot of athletes were doing their non-traditional events, and we were working on some different techniques. Overall, we did well in those areas. Of course, in a team competition the scores count and losing isn’t fun. But it is like a basketball scrimmage. You are trying to win, but at the same time you are working on things that will allow you to perform at a high level later in the season.”
The Cavalier women won six events at the meet, led by double-winner Jordan Lavender. The sophomore won the 200-meter title with a personal-best 23.79, the fifth-fastest time in school history. She also won the 100-meter crown at 11.94.
Virginia had a strong performance in the women’s 1500 meters, taking the top three spots. Barbara Strehler won the event, ahead of teammates Kathleen Stevens and Audrey Batzel. The Cavaliers had the top two finishers in the women’s high jump as Moira Cronin edged teammare Pearl Bickersteth for the title. Also victorious for the Cavalier women were Colette Gnade in the 800 meters and Edy Ndemin the long jump.
The Cavalier men captured four events on Saturday. Payton Hazzard won the 800-meter title and Drew Paisley won the 1500-meter crown. Aaron Shepperd made his season debut and won the 110-meter hurdle title and Tommy DeVitatied a personal best of 6-8.75 to win the high jump.
The Cavaliers will be home again next Saturday as they host the Virginia Invitational.