Cavaliers Close Out Spec Towns Invitational
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Cavalier sprinters and hurdlers wrapped up their slate of competition for the week at the Spec Towns Invitational (Athens, Ga.) led by an impressive display from Jada Seaman while the Virginia pole vaulters kicked things off at the Duke Invitational in Durham, N.C.
In the women’s 200 meters, the Cavaliers put forward a strong showing in the early stages of their season. Jada Seaman led the way posting a season-best time of 23.51 seconds running in the first heat. Freshman Sarah Akpan followed up with a win in the second heat posting 23.57, the second fastest time ever recorded by a Virginia freshman and the seventh-fastest all-time. Kayla Bonnick placed third in her heat clocking 23.97.
Jada Seaman also led the way for the Cavaliers in the women’s 100-meter dash. Seaman took third overall clocking 11.50 followed closely by Bonnick in third who posted 11.58 seconds. Akpan placed sixth with her time of 11.72. On the men’s side, Jay Pendarvis finished third with his time of 10.79.
In the 400-meter hurdles, Emily Alexandru clocked a personal-best for the second time this season running 58.60 in a third-place finish. Alexandru’s time ranks ninth all-time at Virginia. Following the women’s 400-meter hurdles, Virginia’s Alex Sherman posted a personal-best of his own on the men’s side. Sherman clocked 51.36 seconds to nab a second-place finish. His time as also his second personal-best of the season and moves him into sixth all-time at UVA.
In the men’s 400 meters, a Virginia freshman trio of Jaden Lyons, Evans White IV and Luke Schroeder went 4-5-6. Jaden Lyons led the way in the first heat clocking 48.30 while Evans White IV won his heat posting 48.31. On the women’s side, Alahna Sabbakhan won her heat posting 56.03.
A women’s 4×100-meter relay team consisting of Akpan, Bonnick, Jada Pierre and Jada Seaman finished second in the event posting a time of 44.24 seconds. In the 4×400-meters, Alexandru, Akpan, Alahna Sabbakhan and Seaman grabbed another second-place finish.
A Men’s 4×100-meter team of Nigal Davis, Peter Djan, Jay Pendarvis and Alex Sherman combined for a second-place finish posting 41.36. Sherman, Jaden Lyons, Luke Schroeder and Evans White IV combined to earn a victory for the Cavaliers in the 4×400-meter relay.
At the Duke Invitational, Tyler Lynch placed third in the pole vault marking a personal-best performance with a clearance of 4.75 meters (15’7”). Kyle Mosteller placed seventh clearing the same height as Lynch. On the women’s side, Caroline Dannenbaum posted a mark of 3.65 meters (11’11.75”) in a fourth-place finish.
Up Next:
Virginia closes out competition at the Duke Invitational tomorrow (April 8) with the women’s shot put at 11 a.m.
The Cavaliers will be back at Lannigan Field the following week to host the Virginia Grand Prix on Saturday (April 15).