Jonsson Sets Icelandic, Lannigan Field and UVA Record to Lead No. 23 Cavaliers at Virginia Grand Prix
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Senior Hilmar Jonsson (Reykjavik, Iceland) set an Icelandic, Lannigan Field and UVA record in the hammer throw on Saturday (April 27) to lead the No. 23 Virginia men’s track and field team at the Virginia Grand Prix at Lannigan Field.
With his last throw of the night, Jonsson captured the second-best throw in the NCAA with a mark of 75.26m (246-11). His performance set an Icelandic national record, topping the previous record mark of 74.48m (244-4) from 2008.
“As Coach Fetzer (Bryan Fetzer) says, ‘seniors burn with that extra fire in them and are capable of doing some incredible things,’ and that’s exactly what happened tonight,” assistant coach Martin Maric said. “It was a long time coming for Hilmar. All the early mornings, heavy lifting and thousands of throws came together tonight. The amazing thing is he has more in him.”
Jonsson also set a Lannigan Field and UVA record during the series. He topped his current school record five times during the event and led through all six rounds of competition.
“What a magical end to the regular season, with Hilmar’s record throw on the last throw of the night,” director of track and field Bryan Fetzer said. “We had some great performances across all events. It’s where you want to be heading into the championship season. We just have to make the most of each opportunity and special things can happen.”
Senior Brent Demarest (Charleston, S.C.) led the 5000m, running a career-best time of 13:59.24. His time ranks fifth in the ACC this season.
Redshirt senior Oghenakpobo Efekoro (Brooklyn, N.Y.) captured the top collegiate mark in the invite section of the shot put, recording a mark of 19.61m (64-4). He finished second overall in the event.
Racing for the first time this season in the 1500m run, redshirt junior Matthew Novak (Glen Allen, Va.) captured a second-place finish with a time of 3:46.14. Redshirt junior Alex Corbett (Burke, Va.) finished fourth in the event, running a time of 3:48.37.
Freshman Trey Causey (Winchester, Va.) led Virginia in the high jump, clearing 2.11m (6-11) to finish second in the event.
Redshirt junior Sam Young (Lewes, Del.) topped the invite section of pole vault, clearing a height of 5.08m (16-8), while freshman Derek Johnson (Leesburg, Va.) finished second in the 3000m steeplechase, running a time of 9:17.36.
“Senior Day is always a bittersweet day,” Fetzer said. “It’s exciting for all that they have accomplished in their time at UVA, but I think the biggest is seeing them grow and mature as people. There has been a lot of struggle and adversity, and at the same time perseverance.”
The Cavaliers will return to action May 9-11 for the ACC Championships. The conference meet will be held in Charlottesville at Lannigan Field.