Hokie ClubRICHMOND, Va. – The Hokie pole vaulters and relay squads highlighted the Virginia Tech track and field squads’ first day of the Fred Hardy Invitational on Friday at Sports Backers Stadium in Richmond, Va.
The men’s and women’s pole vaulters shined in their 2009 outdoor debut, with three combined top-two finishes. In the men’s competition, sophomore Joe Davis, who redshirted the indoor season, won his first competition of the outdoor campaign, while teammate sophomore Mike Miller finished second. Davis cleared 16-02.75 en route to the victory, and Miller vaulted an outdoor career-best 15-09, in the runner-up effort. Junior Lisa Birnbaum took second in the women’s pole vault with a clearance of 11-11.75.
The men’s 4x800-meter squads, led by three freshmen in their first outdoor collegiate meet, ran well on the day. Newcomers Eric Hoepker, Will Mulherin and Michael Hammond teamed with sophomore Kieran Lee to clock a 7:40.99 and win the race. Another Tech quartet finished second, as seniors Phillip Padilla and James Scheiner joined with sophomores Nick McLaughlin and Jeff Miller to place second, crossing the line in 7:42.58.
On the women’s side, the foursome of freshman Lauren Lemieux, senior Jessica Fanning, senior Erin Reddan and sophomore Jessica Trapeni put together a strong race in the 4x800-meter relay to open the outdoor season. The unit earned a 9:25.30 for third place in the event.
Action will continue in the Fred Hardy Invitational tomorrow, with the first Hokies competing in the women’s 1,500-meter run at 11:10 a.m. The Tech sprinters and throwers will compete in the Weems Baskins Relays on Saturday in Columbia, S.C. Results will be available at the conclusion of both meets on hokiesports.com.
Results
Men
Pole Vault - 1, Joe Davis, Virginia Tech, 16-02.75, 2, Mike Miller, Virginia Tech, 15-09
4x800-Meter Relay – 1, Virginia Tech ‘B’, 7:40.99, 2, Virginia Tech ‘A’, 7:42.58
Women
Pole Vault – 1, Emily Jeremiah, William & Mary, 12-03.50, 2, Lisa Birnbaum, Virginia Tech, 11-11.75
4x800-Meter Relay – 1, Pittsburgh, 9:10.47, 2, Richmond, 9:19.43, 3, Virginia Tech, 9:25.30