Field Events Lead Cavaliers Against Maryland, Pittsburgh
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia men’s track and field team was led by its field performers during the team’s home opener against Maryland and Pittsburgh on Saturday (April 6) at Lannigan Field.
Freshman Ethan Dabbs (Johnstown, Pa.) opened the meet with a freshman record in the javelin. Dabbs threw a mark of 68.57m (224-11) to win the event and record the sixth-best throw in school history.
Senior Hilmar Jonsson (Reykjavik, Iceland) opened his outdoor season with the third-best hammer throw in the country, recording a mark of 72.21m (236’11”). Redshirt senior Oghenakpobo Efekoro (Brooklyn, N.Y.) followed Jonsson in the event, placing second and recording the fourth-best throw in UVA history at 60.88m (199’9″) as he competed in the hammer for the first time in his collegiate career.
Adding to his day, Efekoro finished .75 inches shy of his career-best in the shot put, winning the event and recording the third-best mark in the NCAA this season at 20.37m (66’10”).
Redshirt junior Sam Young (Lewes, Del.) tied his career-best in the pole vault, topping the event with a mark of 5.20m (17′.75″). He cleared the height on his first attempt.
Sophomore Jordan Willis (Williamsburg, Va.) ran the fastest time in the 200m dash, finishing with a time of 21.82.
Redshirt junior Matthew Novak (Glen Allen, Va.) captured a career-best time in the 2000m steeplechase. He recorded a time 5:49.67 to top the event.
Freshman Trey Causey (Winchester, Va.) won the long jump, recording a mark of 7.23m (23’8.75) in his first collegiate jump in the event.
Junior Spencer Dodds (Temecula, Calif.) won the 1500m run with a time of 3:54.26.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better home opener,” director of track and field Bryan Fetzer said. “We had amazing weather for some outstanding performances. It’s just the beginning. There will be some exciting weeks for this program going forward (outdoors). This is a special group and special things will come as long as they do not lose sight of their desires.”
Virginia will return home April 19-20 to host the Virginia Challenge at Lannigan Field.