Hokie ClubDrew Piazza and Hanna Green, two Virginia Tech track and field standouts who recently concluded their collegiate careers at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, both advanced to the semifinals of their respective events at the USA Track and Field Outdoor Championships being held at Sacramento State University in Sacramento, California.
Piazza, who finished sixth in the men’s 800-meter run at the NCAA meet, was seventh overall following the first round of the 800 on Thursday. The Danvers, Massachusetts native finished fourth in his heat with a time of 1 minute, 47.11 seconds. The top two in each heat and the next six fastest times advanced – and Piazza was one of those six fastest.
Green, who won the silver medal in the women’s 800 at the NCAA meet, came in 10th overall following the first round of the 800, which also was run Thursday. The Latrobe, Pennsylvania native came in fourth in her heat with a time of 2:03.27. The top three in each heat and the next four fastest times advanced to the semifinals – and Green was one of those four fastest.
Tech’s Rachel Pocratsky also ran in the 800 on Thursday, but finished fifth in her heat with a time of 2:06.70 and did not advance to the semifinals.
Both Piazza and Green will compete in the semifinals late Friday evening. Other Tech athletes taking part include Greg Chiles (400-meter hurdles) and Deakin Volz (pole vault). Chiles runs the first round of his event Friday, while Volz competes Saturday.
The USA junior championships are being held concurrently as part of this event, and Tech athletes competing include Laurie Barton (800), Sarah Edwards (3,000-meter steeplechase), Arlicia Bush (400), and Brandon Thomas (400). Barton, Bush and Thomas all compete in the first round of their respective events Friday.