Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG, Va. – Virginia Tech’s reigning ACC indoor championship men’s and women’s track & field team open the 2016 season at home with the Virginia Tech Invitational this weekend. Friday’s events begin at 5 p.m. while Saturday’s field events start at 11 a.m. and track events start at 1 p.m.
“We’re looking forward to starting the season,” head coach Dave Cianelli said. “This will give our athletes a chance to see where they are at this point to start the season.”
The reigning ACC indoor champion men’s side, ranked No. 4 in the USTFCCCA’s preseason poll, returns to competition after a first place finish at the ACC Indoor meet last season. Three individual ACC champions return for the Hokies this season: Thomas Curtin, Manuel Ziegler, and Patrick Joseph. Curtain is slated to compete in both the mile and 3,000-meter events while Joseph will compete in the 3,000-meter race. Additional first team All-ACC members competing are Jared Allison (pole vault) and Stuart Robertson (mile).
The younger women’s team is led by one senior competing in the Virginia Tech Invite, Erinn Schaal. The pole vaulter will be competing with sophomore Hannah Meador and junior Erica Hjerpe who will both be making their Hokie debuts this weekend. Three top-100 finishers from this year’s NCAA cross country regional will also be competing for the Hokies on the distance side this weekend: Abigail Motley (mile), Tessa Riley (1,000-meter), and Julie Wiemerslage (mile).
“We’re just really excited to get the season started,” Cianelli said. “We’re looking forward to it.”
The Hokies continue the 2016 campaign next weekend, Jan. 22-23, at home in Rector Fieldhouse.