Results

BLACKBURG, Va. – Freshmen Derek Pekar (Ventura, Calif.) and Jada Seaman (Pikesville, Md.) led the Virginia men’s and women’s track and field teams on the final day of the Hokie Invitational at the Rector Field House.
 
Pekar concluded the heptathlon with a score of 5,354 to win the event by 192 points and capture UVA’s second-highest score in program history in the event. Over the course of two days, the freshman won three of seven events, including topping the 60m hurdles and pole vault during Saturday’s competition.
 
Seaman captured the third-fastest 200m time in program history, and fastest time by a UVA freshman, running a 23.93. Her time placed her first in the event. She also went 1-2 with junior Khyasia Caldwell (Pocono Summit, Pa.) in the long jump. Caldwell reached 6.12m (20’1″) to finish first in the event and record the seventh-best jump in program history. Seaman recorded a mark of 6.09m (19’11.75″) to place second and tie for UVA’s ninth-best all-time jump.
 
Senior Anna Jefferson (Warren, Mich.) ran a time of 53.74 to place second in the 400m run, while juniors Jordan Willis (Williamsburg, Va.) and Brandon Outlaw (Moorestown, N.J.) finished in the top three on the men’s side. Willis placed second with a time of 47.77, while Outlaw ran a time of 48.01 for third.
 
Junior Gabrielle Hayes (Woodbridge, Va.) cleared 1.68m (5’6″) in the high jump to tie for second place, while junior Brittany Jones (Bloomfield, Conn.) finished third in the shot put with a mark of 15.35m (50’4.5″).
 
Sophomore Ayende Watson (Baltimore, Md.) placed fifth in the men’s long jump, reaching 7.12m (23’4.5″).
 
“Great day for UVA track and field,” director of track & field and cross country/associate athletics director of administration Vin Lananna said. “This competition served as an opportunity for many of our athletes in technical events and short sprints to really focus in on their execution as the more competitive portion of our season approaches. This weekend also served as our combined event athletes’ first opportunity to compete in the heptathlon and pentathlon.
 
“Derek Pekar had a very strong showing in his first collegiate heptathlon. I was pleased with the way he competed over the last two days. It was exciting to see Khyasia Caldwell and Jada Seaman take first and second place in the long jump this afternoon. Jada went straight from the long jump runway, onto the track and won the 200m. I appreciate her competitive spirit. Alexis Woodley did a really nice job yesterday in the 60m hurdles. It’s always exciting to see a program record fall. Overall, the purpose of this meet was accomplished. We’ll look to carry the momentum gained this weekend on to Annapolis next week where we’ll compete as a full squad at the Naval Academy.”
 
The Cavaliers will return to action on Feb. 1 to compete in the one day Navy Invitational II in Annapolis, Md.