Hokie ClubNAMPA, Idaho – Virginia Tech senior Marcel Lomnicky (Nitra, Slovakia) won the national championship in the weight throw in his final competition for the Hokies on the second and final day of the 2012 NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championship at the Jacksons Indoor Track Saturday. In addition, junior Alexander Ziegler (weight throw, third), senior Hasheem Halim (triple jump, third), freshmen Martina Schultze (pole vault, seventh) and Victoria von Eynatten (pole vault tie-eighth), all earned podium finishes and first team All-America honors for Tech.
Tech’s men finished tied for eighth with Florida State and Texas A&M in the team race with 22 points. The 22 points are the most points ever by the Hokies at the indoor national meet as Lomnicky, Ziegler and Halim scored for the Hokies.
“I’m extremely happy that our men’s team finished in the top-10 with our highest finish ever in the history of the program indoors,” said Tech director of track & field and cross country Dave Cianelli. “Marcel Lomnicky winning our 11th national title was very exciting and a great accomplishment.”
Lomnicky was steady throughout as he improved his mark on each of his first fourth throws, hitting his best mark of 72 feet, three and three quarter inches (22.04m) on his fourth toss.
Lomnicky won his second career national title as he also won the outdoor hammer throw in 2009. All 11 of Virginia Tech’s individual national titles have been in track & field. He joins former Hokie throwing great Spyridon Jullien and hurdler Queen Harrison as the only individuals in Hokie history to win multiple national titles. Lomnicky caps his career as a six-time All-American.
“I was the hammer throw champion three years ago and now to be the national champion in the weight throw in my last season for Virginia Tech, it just feels great,” said Lomnicky. “It wasn’t ideal today because I was in the first flight and I had to wait like 45 minutes or an hour in between, but I was just trying to keep moving up and improving. I was aiming for a bigger mark, but I couldn’t ask for more by winning. At this meet, its about winning and not about the mark.”
“What a great way for Marcel to end his career,” said associate head coach and throws coach Greg Jack. “He’s not only one of the best track & field athletes, but one of the best athletes in school history. Ending his career as a champion is the perfect way to go out.”
Ziegler was third in the weight throw hitting a best mark of 70-10 (21.59m) on his first throw and he now becomes a five-time All-American. Ziegler has finished third or better in each of the five national meets he has competed in at Tech.
“We came into the meet wanting to go 1-2, whichever way it came it out,” continued Jack. “We didn’t get it, but we got the next best thing and we’ll take it.”
Halim also had an outstanding day as he finished third in the triple jump. He had a double PR as he reset his own school record for the third time this season mark with a jump of 53-6.5 (16.32m) on his fifth attempt. Halim initially posted a PR of 53-3.5 (16.24m) on his first jump and is now a three-time All-American in the triple jump.
“I just came into this meet wanting to place better than fourth which is what I was outdoors last year,” said Halim. “My warm-up felt really good, everything felt fluid, the runway was great. My first jump was a PR and I knew then that it was going to be a good day. After that, I just let myself relax. It’s just relieving to end my indoor career like this on a PR.”
“I’m so proud of Hasheem,” said sprints, hurdles and jumps coach Charles Foster. “I knew he was prepared and he came through. I’m thrilled for him and thrilled for Virginia Tech.”
In the women’s pole vault, Schultze finished seventh with a mark of 13-11.25 (4.25m), as she posted second attempt clearances at the first three bars and then a third attempt clearance at 4.25m. von Eynatten started strong with a clean sheet through the first three heights. She then passed at 4.25m and like Schultze, could not negotiate the bar at 14-1.25 (4.30m).
“The girls didn’t jump as well or place as high as they wanted to, but they did enough to earn first team All-America honors,” said Tech pole vault coach Bob Phillips. “All together though, it was a very, very good season. We’re going to try to build on this and do a little bit better outdoors.”
Junior Ronnie Black placed 13th in the high jump with a mark of 7-0.5 (2.15m). Black cleared the opening bar of 6-10.75 (2.10m) on his second attempt and then went over the 2.15m bar on his first attempt before faltering at 7-2.5 (2.20m). Black’s 13th place finish puts him in position for second team All-America honors.
Yesterday, Tech's Keith Ricks (60 meters) and Frances Dowd (800 meters), finished 12th and 15th respectively in their preliminary races, also putting them in line for second team All-America.
A tape delay of the championship will air Sunday, March 18 from 7:30-9:30 p.m., on ESPNU.
The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) will officially announce All-America awards early next week.
For more information regarding the NCAA Division I Indoor Track & Field Championship, log on to http://www.ncaa.com/championships/trackfield-indoor-men/d1
The Hokies open the outdoor track & field season next weekend as they will compete at the Miami Hurricane Invitational on Saturday, March 17.