Romero, Meyer smash more UVA records to open Virginia Challenge

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

Virginia freshman thrower Claudio Romero and graduate student Michaela Meyer continued their assaults on the UVA track and field records book during the first day of the Virginia Challenge at Lannigan Field.

On his final attempt during the discus competition, Romero (Santiago, Chile) unleased a throw of 64.39 meters (211’ 3”) to break the UVA school record and set a new meet standard.

Romero broke Filip Mihaljevic’s school record of 63.76m (209’ 2”) set in 2017 and also topped his previous best freshman record of 62.56m (205’ 3”). During the discus competition, Romero hit a mark of 63.86m (209’ 6”) that was also a school record before his final attempt toppled that mark.

Meyer (Southbury, Conn.) broke the UVA record in the 1500 meters, running 4:11.62, the fastest time in the nation this season. She previous set the UVA 800-meter record earlier this season. She was the top collegiate finisher in the event, behind two members of the Reebok Boston Track Club.

Senior Jordan Willis (Williamsburg, Va.) used a strong finish to win the 400 meters with a time of 46.23.

Freshman Kayla Bonnick (St. Catherine, Jamaica) turned in the best time in the 100-meter dash in a field of 21 competitors, winning with a time of 11.63.

Freshman Jada Seaman (Pikesville, Md.) had a personal best leap of 6.26 meters (20’ 6.5”) to finish second in the long jump while senior Khyasia Caldwell (Pocono Summit, Pa.) was third (6.23m / 20’ 5.25”).

Freshman Riley Larsen tied for third in the pole vault with a personal best height of 3.71m (12’ 2”) while teammate Trina Barcarola matched that clearance to also set a personal best.

Junior Alix Still (Aberdeenshire, Scotland) was in second place in the heptathlon with 3,226 points after the first day of competition. She finished first in the event’s 100-meter hurdles in (13.93) and high jump (1.64m / 5’ 4.5”).

Freshman Anzhelika Parenchuk had a personal best of 55.59 in the 400 meters.

Justin Dixon (10.84) and Tavares Kelly (11.04) both had personal best times in the 100 meters.

Freshman Coco Holliday posted a personal best of 18:02.43 in the 5000m.

The meet concludes Saturday. Live results are online at VirginiaSports.com.