BOSTON, Mass. — Coming off the 2023 cross country campaign, Virginia’s Margot Appleton, Conor Murphy and Yasin Sado opened their indoor track and field seasons at the Sharnon Colyear-Danville Season Opener where fast times were flying Saturday (Dec. 2) at the BU Track & Tennis Center.

Yasin Sado highlighted the day in the men’s 5000 meters. Coming off the 2023 Cross Country Championships, the senior set a massive personal-best and a Virginia record with his time of 13:31.87.  The performance breaks the record of 13:39.88 set by Derek Johnson on the very same track at the 2023 David Hemery Valentine Invitational.

Conor Murphy started his 2024 campaign with a bang as well. In the men’s 3000 meters, Murphy shattered a personal-best time running 7:53.17 to place eighth among collegiate runners in the event. Murphy’s time ranks second in UVA history, just over two seconds shy of the Virginia record in the event.

 Margot Appleton opened up the competition for the Cavaliers in the women’s 3000 meters. In her first track and field competition since placing third in the 1500 meters at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, Appleton turned 3000 meters in 9:08.68 placing 15th among collegiate runners. Appleton’s time was just four seconds short of her own UVA record.

From Director of Track & Field Vin Lananna
“Our sprinters and jumpers concluded our fall conditioning phase by competing at Liberty. Three of our distance student athletes had a great opener in Boston. Yasin Sado, Conor Murphy, and Margot Appleton were outstanding in the 5000 and 3000 meters. We look forward to a long buildup before our next competition in mid-January”.

Up Next:
Following the new year, Virginia will travel to Blacksburg, Va. to compete at the Virginia Tech Invitational on Friday (Jan. 12) and Saturday (Jan. 13).