Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG– The Virginia Tech track and field teams wrapped up its final week of competition before the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Outdoor Track Championships at the Hokie Twilight Qualifier Thursday afternoon in Blacksburg, Virginia.
The Hokies collected a total of 23 top-three finishes, including 10 victories, to cap off a successful afternoon at the Johnson-Miller Track Complex. Of note, 10 student-athletes also notched personal-best marks to conclude the regular season.
To begin the day, Ama-Selina Tchume recorded a career best in the 400-meter dash, finishing in 55.44 seconds for the victory.
The Hokies’ success continued on the track, as the women took home the top four spots in the 1,500-meter run. Rachel Pocratsky won the event with a time of 4:32.96, while Tessa Riley clocked in behind her to capture second. Kathryn Little also earned a personal best and placed third (4:45.30), while Abigail Motley rounded out the Hokie group with a fourth-place finish.
Amanda Swaak collected another top mark for Tech with her 17:34.11-time in the 5,000 meters, while Sara Freix came in second.
In the 800-meter run, Katie Kennedy clocked in at 2:11.51 to place second, while Sarah Edwards took third with a time of 2:19.29.
The Hokies dominated the 800 meters on the men’s side, taking six of the top 10 spots in the event. Vincent Ciattei led the group with his time of 1:48.46, while Neil Gourley crossed the line in 1:49.88 – a personal best – to come in second. Ashkan Mohammadi claimed sixth, and Andrew Goldman finished eighth. Additionally, Daniel Jaskowak and Fitsum Seyoum completed the top 10 in the event, finishing in ninth and 10th, respectively.
Tech also went 1-2-3 in the men’s 5,000-meter run, as Peter Seufer clocked in at 14:29.55 for the win. Andrew Eason placed second with a personal-best time of 14:57.73, and Daniel Rau came in third with a time of 14:58.76.
Diego Zarate and Patrick Joseph also placed first and third, respectively, in the men’s 1,500-meter run.
While the running events were going on, Olivia Privitera scored a new personal-best mark in the women’s pole vault competition with a 4.08-meter clearance (13 ft., 4.5 in.) for the win.
On the men’s side, Deakin Volz and Brad Johnson placed second and third, respectively. Volz cleared the bar at 5.36 meters (17 ft., 7 in.), while Johnson jumped a height of 5.06 meters (16 ft., 7.25 in.). Jeffrey Linta also participated in the competition, notching a height of 4.61 meters (15 ft., 1.5 in.).
Looking ahead, the Hokies will prep for the 2017 ACC Outdoor Championships set for May 12-14 on Georgia Tech’s campus in Atlanta, Georgia.
Fans can follow all the action during each meet of the 2017 outdoor season by following the squad on Twitter and Instagram.
PERSONAL BESTS
400 meters
Ama-Selina Tchume (55.44)
800 meters
Neil Gourley (1:49.88)
Andrew Goldman (1:55.70)
Fitsum Seyoum (1:56.37)
1,500 meters
Jack Wavering (4:15.87) – unattached
Kathryn Little (4:45.30)
5,000 meters
Andrew Eason (14:57.73)
10,000 meters
Ella Breidenstine (36:51.03) – unattached
Pole Vault
Olivia Privitera (4.08 meters)
Jaelyn Demory (4.46 meters) – unattached