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Men’s Relay Team Sets School Record at Tiger Paw Invite

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CLEMSON, S.C. – The Virginia men’s and women’s track and field teams concluded weekend competition at Clemson’s Tiger Paw Invitational and Liberty’s Darius Dixon Invitational on Saturday, Feb. 12. The men’s 4x400m relay team made Virginia history while Owayne Owens and Bex Hawkins continued to dominate the field events.

At the Tiger Paw Invitational Virginia’s men’s 4x400m relay team put down their best time of the season. The time of 3:11.64 run by Alex Sherman, Jordan Willis, Nigal Davis and Jay Pendarvis sets a new UVA indoor record in the event besting a previous time of 3:11.76 set in 2018 set by Willis, Alfred Shirley, Jake Dixon, and Brandon Outlaw.

Owayne Owens continued to dominate the triple jump this season. The reigning ACC Co-Field Performer of the week took first-place in the event at the Tiger Paw Invite with a personal best mark of 16.60m (54’5.5”). Coming into the weekend Owens ranked second in the nation (16.43m / 53’11”) behind Chengetayi Mapaya of TCU (16.80m / 55’1.5”). Owens has finished as the top collegian in each attempt at the triple jump this season.

After matching her personal best (1.76m / 5’9.25”) in consecutive weeks, Hawkins raised the bar at the Tiger Paw Invite. Clearing a height of 1.77m (5’9.75”) she secured the new mark and claimed seventh-place in the competition overall. Virginia multi, Alix Still, placed 23rd in a field of 33 at a mark of 1.62 (5’3.75”).

In the mile run, Wes Porter ran his best indoor time at 4:01.82, to earn the sixth ranking on the Virginia all-time indoor performance list. Porter was followed by Ka’eo Kruse (4:06.20), and Jacob Hunter who set a personal best of his own at 4:07.61.

In the 4x400m relay at the Darius Dixon Invitational the Virginia women posted their best time of the season as a quartet of Anzhelika Parenchuk, Keara Seasholtz, Emily Alexandru and Alahna Sabbakhan put down a time of 3:46.78.

FROM DIRECTOR OF TRACK & FIELD VIN LANANNA:

“With inspiring performances by Alex, Jordan, Nigal, and Jay in the 4×400, Owayne Owens, and Mia Barnett we have great momentum as we head into the Championship season in a couple of weeks.” 

TIGER PAW INVITATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Heldi Valikaj leaped 14.82m (48’7.5”) in the triple jump
  • Jordan Willis posted a time of 21.57 in the 200m
  • Jay Pendarvis clocked a time of 21.61 in the 200m
  • Alex Sherman ran 22.00 in the 200m
  • Nigal Davis ran 22.36 in the 200m
  • Zoe Rice leaped 11.80m (38’8.75”) in the triple jump

Up Next:  

With two weeks to go before the ACC Indoor Championships, Virginia will send athletes to the JDL DMR Invitational in Winston-Salem, N.C. and The VT Challenge in Blacksburg, Va. beginning Friday, Feb. 18.

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