Scott Places First in Triple Jump at Power Five Invite
Feb. 3, 2018
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Results
ANN ARBOR, Mich.- The No. 24 Virginia men’s track and field team concluded action at the Power Five Invitational on Saturday (Feb. 3) at the U-M Indoor Track Building in Ann Arbor, Mich., with two performances ranking in the NCAA’s top-25 this season.
“There were improved performances in several areas, but too many areas for improvement still remain,” director of track and field Bryan Fetzer said. “For us to truly reach our potential and our expectations, we need to have a better understanding of attention to details and realize its value. It’s something that carries over into all aspects of life and sport.”
Sophomore Jordan Scott (Portmore, Jamaica) led the team, finishing first in the triple jump with a mark of 15.98m (52’5.25″). His performance placed ninth in the NCAA this season. Junior Hilmar Jonsson (Reykjavik, Iceland) recorded a throw of 21.37m (70’1.5″) to place fourth in the meet. Additionally, his performance placed 17th in the nation.
“Jordan (Scott) continues to work hard on adapting to a few technical changes,” assistant coach Mario Wilson said. “It was nice that he was able to still win with a season best under the circumstances.”
“What a better way to open up the season than with a personal record,” assistant coach Martin Maric said about Jonsson. “His meticulous approach to every practice and everything else he does is something he’s notable for. Vociferous teammates in the stands helped him as well.”
Freshmen Alfred Shirley III (Chesapeake, Va.) and Brandon Outlaw (Moorestown, N.J.) paced the Cavaliers in the 400m dash, finishing fifth and eighth overall. Shirley’s time of 47.92 ranks fifth in Virginia history and second in the Cavaliers all-time freshman performances. Outlaw recorded a time of 48.20 to rank ninth in UVA history and fifth for a first-year performance.
The Cavaliers were paced by senior Brent Demarest (Charleston, S.C.) in the 3000m. Demarest finished third with a time of 8:12.90. Sophomore Lachlan Cook (Brisbane, Australia) placed ninth with a time of 8:22.00, while senior Chase Weaverling (Darnestown, Md.) placed 10th with a time of 8:22.99 and sophomore AJ Ernst (Marblehead, Mass.) placed 14th with a time of 8:30.07.
Junior Emmanuel Jackson (Raleigh, N.C.) finished fifth in the finals of the 60m hurdles, recording a time of 8.25, while graduate student Mike Marsella (Hope Valley, R.I.) placed fifth in the 800m with a time of 1:51.58.
In the shot put, redshirt junior Oghenakpobo Efekoro (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and junior Nace Plesko (Ljubljana, Slovenia) finished fifth and sixth, respectively. Efekoro recorded a mark of 17.89m (58’8.5″), while Plesko recorded a mark of 17.71m (58’1.25″).
Sophomore Sam Young (Lewes, Del.) tied for fifth in the pole vault, clearing a height 4.82m (15’9.75″).
Sophomore Spencer Dodds (Temecula, Calif.) finished 10th in the mile with a time of 4:09.26, while sophomore Randy Neish (Glastonbury, Conn.) placed 16th with a time of 4:13.10 and senior Kenneth Hagen (Blacksburg, Va.) placed 30th with a time of 4:21.00.
Junior Jake Dixon (Falmouth, Maine) recorded a time of 49.81 in the 400m dash, placing 28th, while freshman Jordan Willis (Williamsburg, Va.) recorded a time of 50.34 for 33rd. Redshirt junior Jack Lint (Westerville, Ohio) finished 37th with a time of 51.40.
The Cavaliers will return on February 9, competing at the Tiger Paw Invitational in Clemson, S.C., and the Valentine’s Invitational in Boston, Mass.
“Competing at Clemson is an opportunity to get familiar with the ACC Championship facility, while continuing to get better every week,” Fetzer said.