Throwers Pace Virginia on Day Two
May 11, 2018
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MIAMI – Shot put led the way for Virginia men’s track and field on day two of the ACC Outdoor Championships, as all three Cavaliers scored, led by Oghenakpobo Efekoro (Brooklyn, N.Y.) in second.
Virginia sits fifth in the team standings heading into the final day of competition with 35 points.
Efekoro maxed out at 19.13m (62’9.25″) to earn his second-consecutive silver at the ACC Championships. Along with Efekoro, Nace Plesko (Ljubljana, Slovenia) and James Williams (Radford, Va.) also scored in the event.
Plesko uncorked an 18.26m (59’11”) effort on his final throw to earn fourth. Williams capped his final ACC shot put competition with a personal best of 16.90m (55’5.5″) to finish eighth.
In total, the Cavaliers racked up 14 points in the shot put.
“I’m very proud of our guys,” assistant coach Martin Maric said. “All three of them scoring in a very competitive field speaks volumes of their accomplishment.”
Across the field, Jordan Scott (Portmore, Jamaica) added four points in the long jump. The sophomore flew 7.53m (24’8.5″) to finish fifth in the competition.
“Jordan’s performance today was pure heart,” assistant coach Mario Wilson said. “Just a week ago, we did not think he would be able to compete at ACCs. Tomorrow he has some unfinished business to take care of in the triple jump.
The men’s strong performance continued in the pole vault, where Sam Young (Lewes, Del.) matched his personal best. The redshirt-sophomore cleared 5.20m (17’0.25″) on his first attempt, scoring four points for Virginia.
“Sam came into tonight knowing that the ACC has some of the top pole vaulters in the country,” said Wilson. “He is closing in on becoming one of the big boys in the ACC. He was flawless through his 17-foot jump and had good attempts at a new personal best. His performance today should serve as a huge confidence booster.”
In the evening’s final event, Matthew Novak (Glen Allen, Va.) added to the Cavaliers’ big day with a sixth-place finish in the 3000m steeplechase. Novak crossed the line in 9:01.15 to earn three points, punctuating a 25-point day for Virginia.
The Cavaliers conclude the ACC Outdoor Championships on Saturday (May 12).