Murphy and Johnson Pick Up Wins for UVA at Liberty Kickoff Invitational

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. –  The Virginia men’s and women’s indoor track and field teams opened their season Thursday at the Liberty Kickoff Invitational. The Hoos had competitors in the 3000-meter and 5000-meter races.

Competing in his first collegiate indoor 3000-meter race, Conor Murphy beat a pair of teammates to the finish line to win with a time of 8:16.92. Jacob Hunter was the runner-up at 8:18.02 and Johnny Rogers finished third at 8:21.38.

In the women’s 3,000-meter event, first year Veronic Boire clocked the second-fastest time by a Virginia freshman in the event, placing second overall at 9:34.79. She was the top collegiate finisher in the race. Former Cavalier Michaela Meyer, running unattached, set a facility record with a winning time of 9:22.82. UVA’s Taylor Jones placed third (9:53.75) while Liza Neely (10:22.19) was fourth, Lila Fenner was fifth (10:41.39) and Amelia Kokernak was sixth (10:41.81).

Derek Johnson took first place in the men’s 5000-meter competition with a personal-best time of 14:12.08. Ka’eo Kruse came in second at 14:25.15 while Jackson Braddock was third at 14:40.46.

In the women’s 5,000-meters, Margot Appleton turned in a third-place effort (16:49.45) while Helena Lindsay was fifth (17:01.24).

The Cavaliers begin the bulk of their indoor season on Jan. 14 when they participate in the Virginia Tech Invitational.