Virginia’s distance teams dominate at Hokie Invitational

The Virginia men’s and women’s track and field teams wrapped up competition at the Hokie Invitational at Rector Field House in Blacksburg on Saturday. The final day of competition featured an impressive performance from the Cavalier distance runners.

In the women’s distance medley relay, a pair of Cavalier squads placed first and third in the event. In their first-place finish, Mia Barnett, Keara Seasholtz, Claire Frazier Bolton and Margot Appleton recorded the second-best time in Virginia history (11:13.70). Ellie Desmond, Alahna Sabbakhan, Sydney Coppolino and Helena Lindsay comprised Virginia’s third-place team (11:51.33).

In the men’s distance medley relay Virginia’s three teams claimed first, second and third amongst a field of seven entries. Virginia’s first-place team (Sado, Trent, Bellamy, Porter) recorded a time of 9:48.78. Following in second-place was another band of Wahoos (Kruse, Davis, Murphy, Asfaw) at 9:50.06. The final quartet of Cavaliers (Mountain, Wilson, Baginski, Hunter) claimed third place at 9:50.35.

Maria Deaviz placed second in the shot put amongst a field of 15 competitors. With a personal best mark of 16.42m (53’10.5”), Deaviz now ranks third all-time on Virginia’s indoor performance list as she jumps Brittany Jones’ mark of 16.27m (53’4.5”) achieved in 2020.

Notes

• In the women’s long jump, Jada Seaman finished third. Her mark of 6.02m (19’9”) is her best performance of the season so far
• Joradan Willis placed second in the 400m dash (47.34). His time is the best of any Cavalier this season. Jay Pendarvis finished eighth in the event (49.16)
• For the second consecutive weekend, Bex Hawkins matched her personal best mark in the high jump at 1.76m (5’9.25”). Hawkins placed second in the event
• Claudio Romero placed third in the men’s shot put (18.29m / 60’0.25”). His mark is the best of any Cavalier this season

Director of Track and Field Vin Lananna:

“Our goal for the program is to have a well-rounded, highly-competitive team at both the conference and national level. I think we as a team took a step toward accomplishing that this weekend”

Up Next 

The Cavaliers will travel back to Blacksburg for the third time this season on Friday, Feb. 4 for the VT Elite Meet.