RALEIGH, N.C. – The Virginia men’s and women’s track and field programs opened the 2023 outdoor season at the Raleigh Relays where Conor Murphy and Gary Martin got their seasons kickstarted with inspiring performances in the 1500 meters at the Paul Derr Track & Field Facility.

Virginia put on a show in the men’s 1500 meters as four Cavaliers placed in the top five. Conor Murphy picked up right where he left off after a stellar indoor campaign as he took the win clocking a personal-best time of 3:39.75. Murphy’s time ranks as the third-fastest in Virginia history trailing teammate Wes Porter who ran 3:39.73 to win the 1500 at last season’s Raleigh Relays.

Following Murphy in second was first-year Gary Martin who wasted no time taking down the Virginia freshman record. Martin ran 3:40.08, a time that ranks fourth on the Virginia all-time list. He takes down a Virginia freshman record for the second time in his first-year campaign after setting the freshman mile record at 3:56.83.

Yasin Sado posted a personal-best performance in the 1500 meters as well clocking 3:40.67 to finish fourth and climb up to eighth on the Virginia all-time list. Wes Porter placed fifth running 3:41.57 to round out an impressive showing from the Cavaliers.

In the men’s 5000 meters, Nate Mountain turned in a personal-best performance in the 5000 meters. The sophomore placed 14th overall running 13:48.25, the sixth-fastest time in Virginia history. Jack Eliason finished fourth in his heat running a personal best of 13:57.85.

In the women’s shot put, Janae Profit kicked off her outdoor season with a personal-best performance posting a mark of 15.36 meters (50’4.75”) to place fifth in the event. Profit’s mark moves her up the Virginia all-time list to No. 6. Brooke Lumpkin made her outdoor debut placing eighth in the shot put.

Up Next:
The Cavaliers will resume action at the Raleigh Relays tomorrow (March 24). Beginning with the women’s discus at 9:45 a.m.