Track & Field: Deaviz sets school record, wins gold at ACC Championships

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

The Virginia men’s and women’s track and field teams finished competition at the ACC Indoor Championships at Virginia Tech’s Rector Field House on Saturday evening highlighted by a school record performance from Maria Deaviz to win gold in the shot put.

Deaviz wasted no time breaking a 14-year-old Virginia record. Her second throw of the day soared 16.75m (54’11.5”) to win her first-ever collegiate gold medal and book ten points for the Cavalier women. “It was really fun coming out here today after a long indoor season showing what it’s about and having fun with the whole team. It’s a great experience” said Deaviz.

In the men’s triple jump, Owayne Owens came away with his second consecutive ACC Indoor Championship. Owens leaped to a distance of 16.55m (54’3.75”) to secure the gold medal for Virginia. “It’s definitely a great feeling. I was disappointed yesterday from the long jump so my mindset today was to execute and have fun which I did. It was a really great series of jumps and I finished healthy so I couldn’t be more grateful.” Said Owens.

Competing in three different events, Jada Seaman turned in an inspiring performance for the Wahoos. Seaman clocked a time of 23.53 in the 200m to place third and win the bronze. Her time of 7.39 in the 60m earned her fourth-place. She also helped her team to a fourth-place finish in the 4x400m with a season-best time of 3:41.37.

Alahna Sabbakhan set a school record of her own in the 800m at 2:05.74 to finish fourth in the event. Sabbakhan topped a record held by Vanessa Fabrizio who ran 2:07.24 in 2015.

The Virginia women finished fifth in the competition with a total of 67 points. The men finished 10^th with their total of 32. Virginia Tech will claim both points towards the Smithfield Commonwealth Clash as the Hokies finished above the Hoos on both the men’s and women’s sides.

FROM DIRECTOR OF TRACK & FIELD VIN LANANNA

“I am very pleased with the final day here at the ACC Indoor Championships on both the men’s and women’s side. Maria Deaviz and Owayne Owens were most inspiring with their ACC wins, but we also added another podium finish and two school records today. Looking forward to the outdoor track season, we add events in our favor and we’ll continue this great momentum into the spring.”

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

• Mia Barnett claimed fourth-place in the mile run while Margot Appleton set a personal-best (4:37.46) in a fifth-place finish
• Nathan Mountain and Yasin Sado placed fourth and seventh respectively in the men’s mile
• Kayla Bonnick placed seventh in the 60m for the Cavaliers
• Jordan Willis clocked a season-best (46.90) in the 400m in a fourth-place finish
• Anzhelika Parenchuk, Jada Seaman, Alahna Sabbakhan and Keara Seasholtz turned in a season-best time for Virginia to finish fourth in the 4x400m relay
• Jay Pendarvis, Jordan Willis, Nigal Davis, and Liam Bellamy placed sixth in the 4x400m relay for the Hoos.

UP NEXT

• The NCAA Indoor Championships will be held in Birmingham, Ala. Beginning on Friday, March 11
• Virginia will open its outdoor season at Lanigan Field when the Cavaliers host the Virginia Triangular on Saturday, March 19