Cavaliers Close Out a Thrilling Virginia Challenge
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia Challenge came to a close at Lannigan Field on Saturday after an incredible three days of competition. Jada Seaman highlighted the final day of the meet for the Cavaliers with a win in the 200m which brought her within a fraction of a second from the Virginia record.
Seaman won the 200m dash and raced to a time of 23.18 to match a Virginia Challenge record set by Paris Daniels in 2014. The time is just one hundredth of second shy of the Virginia record. Running in the same heat, Kayla Bonnick equaled her personal-best time of 24.01 finishing seventh overall.
On the men’s side of the 200m Jordan Willis set a personal-best time of 21.02 to finish fourth in the event. Jay Pendarvis set a personal best of his own clocking 21.22 to move into sixth on the Virginia all-time performance list.
In the women’s high jump competition, Bex Hawkins soared to an outdoor-best 1.76m (5’9.25m). On the men’s side, Jacob Kelly also set an outdoor-best with his mark of 2.04m (6’8.25”).
Owayne Owens won the triple jump for the Cavaliers with a season-best mark of 16.27m (53’4.5”).
In the men’s 800m, Conor Murphy placed third in his heat running a time of 1:49.26. On the women’s side Alahna Sabbakhan took fifth in her heat clocking 2:06.58 while Mia Barnett placed third in her heat at 2:06.79.
The Hoos took fourth place in the 4x400m as Jordan Willis, Jay Pendarvis, Nigal Davis and Alex Sherman combined for Virginia’s best time of the season at 3:11.64.
The performance caps a meet for the Wahoos that saw multiple school, meet and facility records fall at Lannigan Field. Ethan Dabbs let go of a javelin throw that reached 80.41m (263’9”) while Ashley Anumba topped her Virginia record in the discus at 56.67m (185’11”). Wes Porter dropped a time of 13:36.84 in the 5k to set a school record in the event. Claudio Romero also set a facility record in the discus with his mark of 64.79m (212’6”).
FROM DIRECTOR OF TRACK & FIELD VIN LANANNA:
“This weekend was a great showing for our team. What was great to see at this meet was the success we had in not just one event, but in many of them. Our team showed signs of developing into a complete track and field program that can compete across the board.”
UP NEXT:
The Hoos will travel to compete in the Penn Relays from Thursday, (April 28) through Friday, (April 30). The Cavaliers will also be back at Lannigan on Sunday, (May 1) to host the Virginia Grand Prix.