Barnett sets freshman record, distance runners impress at Hokie Invitational

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

The Virginia men’s and women’s track and field teams completed the opening day of the Hokie Invitational at the Rector Field House in Blacksburg on Friday, Jan. 21 highlighted by a spectacular performance from freshman distance runner, Mia Barnett.

In her first ever collegiate attempt at the mile run, Barnett placed third in the event. With a time of 4:40.43, Barnett’s time topped an indoor freshman record set by Claire Forbes in 1990 (4:49.48). After the historic performance, her time ranks sixth on Virginia’s all-time performance list.

Fellow freshman, Margot Appleton, also turned in a spectacular performance as she too surpassed Forbes’ 32-year-old record in a sixth-place finish (4:45.35).

On the men’s side, Ka’eo Kruse also turned in a third-place finish in the mile run. His time of 4:01.56 shattered a previous best (4:11.74) and propelled the graduate student into fifth-place on Virginia’s all-time indoor performance list.

Yasin Sado (4:03.36) and Jacob Hunter (4:11.43) also achieved personal best times competing in the mile placing fifth and 14^th respectively in a field of 33 competitors.

In her first attempt at the pentathlon in 2022, Alix Still placed fourth with a point total of 3849. The junior recorded a personal best mark in the shot put (11.01m / 36’1.5”) in the midst of a consistent performance.

In the women’s 60m dash, Kayla Bonnick placed third with a time of 7.50. The time placed Bonnick in a tie for tenth place on Virginia’s all-time performance list. Jada Seaman finished fourth in the event (7.55).

In the 600m Alahna Sabbakhan recorded a personal best as she finished sixth (1:31.934). Following Sabbakhan in seventh place was Keara Seasholtz (1:31.936).

Up next 

Virginia will return to action on Saturday, Jan. 22 for day two of the Hokie Invitational at the Rector Field House. Events will begin at 12 p.m.