Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG, Va. – Virginia Tech wrapped up its weekend at the NCAA Championships Saturday, crowning three more All-Americans to give the men’s team their highest finish ever, placing fifth with 36 points. Their previous best finish was 10th, set at last year’s outdoor meet. The women finished tied for 20th with 14 points.
The totals for the weekend include two individual NCAA Champions, with Alexander Ziegler and Dorotea Habazin sweeping the men’s and women’s hammer throws as the ninth and tenth NCAA Champions in Virginia Tech history. Twelve Hokies were named All-American, nine first team and three second team, with four finishing in the top three in their respective event.
“It was a fantastic national meet for Virginia Tech,” said Director of Track and Field Dave Cianelli. “Fifth place for the men and 20th for the women and two individual National Champions! This performance shows we continue to be one of the elite programs in the nation. I must congratulate each of our coaches and staff as they prepared our athletes so well for this meet. I am proud to be a Hokie today!”
Hasheem Halim and David Wilson earned first team All-America honors in the men’s triple jump Saturday, becoming the first Hokies to finish in the top eight in the event since 1987. Halim moved into fourth place in his fifth attempt with a new personal best jump of 53-3.75 (16.25m), less than an inch shy of the school record. Wilson punched his ticket to the final round with his third attempt, jumping a new PR of 53-1.75 (16.20m), briefly overtaking his teammate in the standings. Wilson is the third Tech football player to ever earn All America honors in track, the first since 1980 and the first to do so at the outdoor meet.
Samira Burkhardt wrapped up a stellar freshman season with an All-American performance in the women’s shot put, finishing fifth with a new school record of 56-1 (17.09m). Will Mulherin also competed in the 5,000 meters, finishing 20th in 14:10.44.
Next for the Hokies, NCAA participants Michael Hammond and Sammy Dow will compete at the USA Championships, beginning on June 23. Darrell Wesh, Ebony Scott, Courtney Dobbs and Taylor Crosson will also compete at the USA Junior meet.
Virginia Tech All-Americans
First Team (Top Eight)
Alexander Ziegler – Men’s Hammer Throw – 1st (238-6, 72.69m)
Dorotea Habazin – Women’s Hammer Throw – 1st (223-7, 68.15m)
Marcel Lomnicky – Men’s Hammer Throw – 2nd (237-4, 72.35m)
Matthias Treff – Men’s Javelin – 2nd (255-6, 77.88m) *All-time ACC record*
Hasheem Halim – Men’s Triple Jump – 4th (53-3.75, 16.25m) *Personal Best*
Samira Burkhardt – Women’s Shot Put – 5th (56-1, 17.09m) *School Record*
David Wilson – Men’s Triple Jump – 6th (53-1.75, 16.20m) *Personal Best*
Ronnie Black – Men’s High Jump – 7th (7-0.25, 2.14m)
Joe Davis – Men’s Pole Vault – 8th (17-2.5, 5.25m) *Personal Best*
Second Team (9th Place-16th Place)
Hunter Hall – Men’s Pole Vault – 11th (17-2.5, 5.25m)
Michael Hammond – Men’s 1,500 meters – 14th (3:49.45)
Denis Mahmic – Men’s Hammer Throw – 14th (208-3, 63.49m)