Indoor Track: Appleton, Martin pick up All-American honors at NCAA Championships

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

Two Cavaliers closed out competition at the 2024 NCAA Indoor Championships Saturday, as Margot Appleton broke the Virginia mile record and she and Gary Martin earned All-American honors in the men’s and women’s mile at the TRACK at new balance in Boston.

Appleton began the final day of the Championships with an exciting performance in the women’s mile as she took fifth place posting 4:29.07 to earn first-team All-American honors and break her own Virginia school record. This marks the second time this season that Appleton has lowered the program record in the event.

Appleton’s competitive nature was on full display throughout the NCAA Championships. Her seed time of 4:30.87 ranked on the slower end of the field as she entered the meet as the 12th seed of 16.

After surging from seventh into third place in the second heat of the qualifying rounds to secure qualification for the finals, Appleton once again began her race at the back of the pack. Appleton ran a methodical race from start to finish running down competitor after competitor to finish fifth overall.

She becomes the first Virginia women’s miler to finish in the top-five at the Indoor NCAA Championships in back-to-back seasons. She also earns indoor first-team All-American honors for the third-consecutive season after finishing fourth in the mile in 2023 and seventh as a member of Virginia’s DMR team in 2022.

In the men’s mile, Martin entered the final with the fourth-fastest qualifying time between the two preliminary heats.  In a highly contested race, Martin stayed poised while running in the middle of the pack averaging 30 seconds per lap. The sophomore clocked 27.63 seconds for the second to last lap before getting tangled up on the curve.

After a tough fall, Martin ultimately crossed the line in 4:12.44 to finish tenth and earn second team All-American status. In his Indoor NCAA Championship debut, the Warminster, Pa., native earned his first indoor All-American honors.

Martin and the men’s distance medley relay combined for six points for the Virginia men, who finished T-36th overall. Appleton scored four points for the Cavalier women, who placed T-38th overall.

FROM DIRECTOR OF TRACK & FIELD VIN LANANNA

“I am proud of the way Gary Martin and Margot Appleton battled in the men’s and women’s mile. Margot has been a tough competitor all year and it was exciting to see her take down the school record for the second time this season. The team made great strides this indoor season. I am looking forward to the team continuing to progress this outdoor season.”

UP NEXT

The Cavaliers press on to the outdoor season which is set to begin at home with the Virginia Opener on Saturday, March 23.