Barnett Sets Freshman Record, Distance Runners Impress at Hokie Invitational
BLACKSBURG, Va. – The Virginia men’s and women’s track and field teams completed the opening day of the Hokie Invitational at the Rector Field House in Blacksburg on Friday, Jan. 21 highlighted by a spectacular performance from freshman distance runner, Mia Barnett.
In her first ever collegiate attempt at the mile run, Barnett placed third in the event. With a time of 4:40.43, Barnett’s time topped an indoor freshman record set by Claire Forbes in 1990 (4:49.48). After the historic performance, her time ranks sixth on Virginia’s all-time performance list.
Fellow freshman, Margot Appleton, also turned in a spectacular performance as she too surpassed Forbes’ 32-year-old record in a sixth-place finish clocking in at 4:45.35.
On the men’s side, Ka’eo Kruse also turned in a third-place finish in the mile run. His time of 4:01.56 shattered a previous best (4:11.74) and propelled the graduate student into fifth-place on Virginia’s all-time indoor performance list.
Yasin Sado (4:03.36) and Jacob Hunter (4:11.43) also achieved personal best times competing in the mile placing fifth and 14th respectively in a field of 33 competitors.
In her first attempt at the pentathlon in 2022, Alix Still placed fourth with a point total of 3849. The junior recorded a personal best mark in the shot put (11.01m / 36’1.5”) in the midst of a consistent performance.
In the women’s 60m dash, Kayla Bonnick placed third with a time of 7.50. The time placed Bonnick in a tie for tenth place on Virginia’s all-time performance list. Jada Seaman finished fourth in the event (7.55).
In the 600m Alahna Sabbakhan recorded a personal best as she finished sixth (1:31.934). Following Sabbakhan in seventh place was Keara Seasholtz (1:31.936).
Up Next
Virginia will return to action on Saturday, Jan. 22 for day two of the Hokie Invitational at the Rector Field House. Events will begin at 12 p.m.