Cavaliers Shine on Day One of Tyson Invitational

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Feb. 14, 2014

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Virginia men’s and women’s track & field teams split up to compete in three events around the nation on Friday as they were in action at Arkansas, Iowa State and Washington. The Cavaliers had strong performances at all three meets, including a school record performance at the Tyson Invitational in Arkansas.

Jordan Lavender (Nashville, Tenn.) set a school record in the women’s 400m, finishing third in a time of 52.59. It broke her own school record of 53.14, set at last year’s ACC Championships. It is her second school record in as many weeks, having set the indoor 200m school record at Virginia Tech last week.

In the men’s 400m at the Tyson Invitational, David Bartha (Bonyhad, Hungary) ran a time of 48.59, which ranks eighth in school history and fifth on the freshman list. Anthony Kostelac (Charlottesville, Va.) finished fourth in the men’s championship 800m in a time of 1:49.27, just .03 seconds off his indoor PR set in 2011, which ranks fifth in school history. Nathan Kiley (Chantilly, Va.) ran 1:51.08 in the men’s 800m, the 10th-best time in school history and fourth on the freshman list. In the men’s 5000m, Zach Herriott (Kansas City, Mo.) ran the 10th-fastest time in school history, placing third at the meet in 14:24.91. Edy Ndem (Roanoke, Va.) finished ninth in the long jump at 19’2.5″, one inch shy of her PR.

“A lot of positives today in all aspects,” said head coach Bryan Fetzer. “Your team’s success is predicated on your veterans. Our veterans have really begun to step up and lead, both in guidance and performance, while our younger ones continue to learn more about themselves and what it truly takes to be among the elite. We had some individuals really step up and produce.”

At the Husky Classic in Seattle, Barbara Strehler had a strong performance in the women’s 5000m. She finished in a time of 16:16.32, the second best time in school history which topped her previous PR by 10 seconds. Cleo Boyd (Kinston, Ont.) ran the seventh-best time in school history with a 16:29.16 and Sarah Fakler (Phoenix, Ariz.) ran 16:32.01, the 10th-best time in school history and second best time by a Cavalier first-year. In the men’s 5000m Thomas Porter (Fredericksburg, Va.) ran 14:14, a new PR and the sixth-fastest time in school history.

The men’s distance medley relay team was in action Friday night at the Iowa State Classic. The team of Mike Marsella (Hope Valley, R.I.), Payton Hazzard (Huntington, N.Y.), Henry Wynne (Westport, Conn.) and Kyle King (Yorktown, Va.) finished sixth in a time of 9:38.85.

The Cavaliers will conclude competition at all three meets on Saturday. Virginia will also have individuals compete Monday at the Liberty Quad Meet.