Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – After a stellar year for Virginia Tech’s track and field program, there is much to be excited about entering the 2018 indoor and outdoor seasons.
The program earned three ACC titles, set numerous school records and returns the majority of the student-athletes who accomplished the impressive feat. Of the 40 All-ACC student-athletes last year, 30 return to Blacksburg.
Director of track and field and cross country Dave Cianelli sat down with Virginia Tech’s HokieVision and answered questions for the upcoming season. To watch the video of the interview in its entirety, click here.
Q: How would you sum up how perfectly this past season went?
CIANELLI: “Well yeah, it was sort of a perfect storm, the way everything came together with indoors and outdoors for the men and outdoors for the women. And then the cross country team had an excellent fall as well. So, it was a very, very good year for us. And now, it is sort of time to turn the page and have to put that behind you and not really think about it too much. We have to focus on getting prepared for the upcoming season. I think there’s always a little bit of time where, it’s human nature to, celebrate successes and coaches probably don’t do it as much as they should. But I think we are at a point now where we have had a full semester of training to get ready for this upcoming season. For us as coaches and the students, they have to start really putting their focus on the upcoming year and what they want to accomplish as a group, not to be thinking about last year because it is history. But with the maturity we have with this team, I don’t think it will be too big of a problem. So, I’m looking forward to this year and seeing what this group can do.”
Q: How do you think the team will respond after last year in its first meet and beginning the season with many key returners from last year’s championship teams?
CIANELLI: “We do have a large group of student-athletes that are conference level and have competed at the conference level at least one or multiple years. We have a nice contingent of experience returning on both of the men’s and women’s side. The first couple meets will be seeing where everybody is at, especially for the non-distance kids who basically had been training all fall. Sometimes you don’t know where everybody is going to fit in. But the biggest thing is to make sure they stay healthy and are continuing to develop for the ACC meet and the national meet for the people who qualify. Then you transition to the outdoor season and you need to take advantage of every opportunity that you have because it is limited. It goes by quick. Once it starts, each week seems to almost speed up when you are in season. Majority of the team will compete the first meet and it’s almost here.”
Q: Is there any specific event group that you are the most excited about?
CIANELLI: “There are certainly some new individuals that I’m really excited to see in competition. But I think collectively, I’m excited for all of the groups because looking at our men’s and women’s teams, I believe this collection of students is probably as talented as we have ever had, since I’ve been here. That doesn’t guarantee anything, but it gives you the opportunity to have a lot of success. If we keep them healthy and develop them, we really have a good collection of returnees and newcomers that I think will keep both the men’s and women’s teams at a high level. I think both teams will be in the mix at the ACC meets and also I think we have a very good chance to place very high at the NCAA championships. I’m very excited to get things going and see what we can do. I’m ready to go.”
The 2018 season begins this Saturday as the Hokies’ track and field team heads up to University Park, Pennsylvania, to compete at the Nittany Lion Challenge hosted by Penn State.
Here is a look at each of the disciplines, as the Hokies start the 2018 track and field seasons:
MEN’S DISTANCE
Top returners
Daniel Jaskowak, Patrick Joseph, Neil Gourley, Peter Seufer, Vincent Ciattei, Diego Zarate, Jack Joyce
Newcomers
Ben Fleming, Osman Humeida, Bashir Mosavel-Lo, Dave Whitfield, Will Griffen, William Shaffer, Thierry Siewe Yanga, Zachary Witt
Overview
The men’s distance and mid-distance crew represents arguably the strongest part of the men’s team and led the way for the Hokies to claim both the ACC’s indoor and outdoor team titles in 2017. Tech lost Piazza, an indoor and outdoor All-American, to graduation, but much of the talent returns.
Gourley (1,500) and Seufer (10,000) both won ACC crowns during the outdoor season, while Ciattei (mile) and Joseph (800) claimed ACC gold during the indoor campaign. They continued their success at the NCAA level, too, as Jaskowak and Ciattei, along with Chiles and Kevin Cianfarini, nearly guided the Hokies to an indoor national title in the distance medley relay, finishing second. Gourley and Joseph earned All-America honors during both the indoor season and outdoor seasons, while Ciattei and Seufer earned second-team All-America honors during the outdoor season.
Unfortunately, Jaskowak, Gourley and Joseph only have indoor eligibility remaining, but Seufer and Ciattei provide plenty of experience and talent, and a group of talented newcomers should help the squad overcome those losses.
Distance coach Ben Thomas’ take
“We had a talk with our seniors, kind of the beginning of the last with such a great group of seniors. We started with cross country, and it was like you didn’t want the season to end because they have just been so clutch. They have been such great ambassadors for our program and school. So I’m going to enjoy it. Yes, I’m going to take, not just the meets, but enjoying the last hard cycle of practices with these guys, and hopefully we get them to the [starting] line about to run the best races of their lives. That would be something pretty special if we could do that.”
WOMEN’S DISTANCE
Top returners
Katie Kennedy, Lauren Berman, Laurie Barton, Sarah Edwards, Sara Freix, Kayla Richardson, Rachel Pocratsky
Newcomers
Ellie Brush, Katy Lobeda, Emily Schiesl, Lizzie Buckley
Overview
The biggest loss on either the men’s or women’s teams came when Green graduated after one of the greatest careers in Tech track and field history. She departed as a six-time ACC gold medalist and a six-time All-American, and she holds or shares five school records.
So can the Tech women’s team replace her? Well, Tech’s cupboard certainly isn’t bare.
Edwards returns after an outstanding freshman season in which she won the ACC title in the 3,000-meter steeplechase during the outdoor season, and she also earned All-America honors at the NCAA’s outdoor meet. She carried that success into the summer, winning the gold medal in the same event at the Pan American Junior Championships.
Barton also enjoyed a nice freshman campaign. She came in fifth in the 800 at the ACC’s outdoor meet, and then she won a silver in the 800 at the USA Outdoor Championships, qualifying for the Pan American Junior Championships, where she came in fifth.
In addition, Kennedy and Pocratsky earned All-ACC recognition last season in the 1,500 and 800, respectively. As the lone senior in the distance crew, Kennedy serves as the leader, and she enjoyed a fantastic cross country season this past fall, earning All-ACC and All-Southeast Region honors.
So the Hokies do return some talent. Each member just needs to do a little more to make up for Green’s production. If that happens, the Hokies could win yet another ACC crown, following up on their 2017 outdoor title.
Distance coach Ben Thomas’ take
“The girls, with them winning the [ACC] outdoor title last spring, it’s just always fun to have more people on the same mission, and I think the girls see it is obviously attainable now to win a title as well. So I’m just really excited to have more people in it to win it, not just physically, but mentally, and I think we’ve got a real chance to do that. It should be a fun season.”
MEN’S JUMPS/MULTI-EVENTS
Top returners
Mackenzie Muldoon, James Carver, James Holt, Will Kendall
Newcomer
Matthew Manilli
Overview
Muldoon, who competes mostly in the heptathlon and decathlon, headlines the group after enjoying a terrific junior season in which he scored points at both the ACC indoor and outdoor championship meets. During the indoor season, he finished seventh in the heptathlon at the league meet, scoring 5,166 points – the second-best total in school history. He continued his strong work during the outdoor season, finishing sixth in the decathlon at the ACC meet with a personal-best 6,758 points.
Carver, Holt and Kendall are high jumpers, with Kendall leading the way. He recorded a top-10 finish in the high jump at the ACC’s outdoor meet, just missing out on earning All-ACC honors. His career best of 2.06 meters (6 feet, 9 inches) during the indoor season ranks as one of the top five marks in school history. Tech’s plans call for Manilli to compete in the heptathlon and decathlon, and the staff thinks that he could make an impact right away.
Jumps/multi-events coach Paul Zalewski’s take
“I was really proud to see the growth and development of Mackenzie Muldoon in the combined events, not only as an athlete and the improvement of his marks, but as a competitor … To see that young man step up on a consistent basis when the team needs him at his best really impresses me and makes me proud of him. And the best part, he’s even better now than he was last year.
“Matt’s [Manilli] certainly got a lot to learn, but, if what I’ve seen this fall is any indication, this guy is going to do some great things for the program in his career. And just having him around and training with Muldoon, you can see the balance that they bring each other. Mack has a lot of experience that Matt is learning from, and Matt gives Mack someone to compete with every day in practice. They feed off each other really well, and I think it’s going to do wonders for them both this year.”
WOMEN’S JUMPS/MULTI-EVENTS
Top returners
Eszter Bajnok, Emily Miller
Newcomers
Stefanie Aeschlimann, Cecilia Marenick
Overview
Bajnok enjoyed an impressive freshman campaign last winter and spring, earning All-ACC honors in the triple jump during both the indoor and outdoor seasons. At the league’s indoor meet, she came in fourth in the triple jump and tied the school record in the event (12.60 meters; 41 feet, 4.25 inches). Then at the league’s outdoor meet, she earned a bronze medal after breaking the school record (13.05 meters; 42 feet, 9.75 inches).
Tech’s staff expects her to be even better this season. She figures to get some help from two freshmen – Marenick and Aeschlimann. Aeschlimann, in particular, brings international experience in the triple jump, as she has competed in four U20 German National Championships and in the U23 German National Championships.
Jumps/multi-events coach Paul Zalewski’s take
“It was a good season for Eszter, with her adjusting from her home country of Hungary to life in the U.S. Just like with [Mackenzie] Muldoon, she’s training really well now, and I’m looking forward to seeing what 2018 has in store for her.
“Stefanie Aeschlimann is a triple jumper joining the team from Germany, and I couldn’t be happier with the fall season she had. She’s an amazing young woman to work with, very hard working, great personality, tireless work ethic, and has consistently improved on all her training metrics through the fall. I’ve seen a great relationship form between her and Eszter, both on and off the track, and that friendly competition is really helping both of them push harder and harder every day. That’s really fun to watch.”
MEN’S POLE VAULT
Top returners
Torben Laidig, Deakin Volz, James Steck, Jaelyn Demory
Newcomer
Joel Leon Benitez
Overview
The men’s squad saw steady performers Brad Johnson and Jeffrey Linta depart after last season, but the group includes plenty of talent led by school record holders Laidig and Volz – both of whom figure to contend for ACC titles this upcoming season. Laidig, a two-time ACC champion and a four-time All-American, is coming off a shortened outdoor season because of a broken bone in his hand, but should be in the hunt for national title honors this season.
The 2016 outdoor silver medalist at the NCAAs, Laidig holds Tech’s outdoor mark of 18 feet, 8.25 inches (5.70 meters). Volz, a two-time All-American and a bronze medalist at the 2016 NCAA indoor meet, holds the indoor record of 18 feet, 6.75 inches. Laidig, Volz and Steck have combined for 11 All-ACC honors, while Demory, who took a redshirt year last season, and Benitez, the No. 1-ranked U20 pole vaulter in the United Kingdom, will be making their collegiate debuts.
Pole vault coach Bob Phillips’ take
“We are not as deep as we have been in the past – we are a little smaller [in terms of numbers]. Although by some teams’ standards, we’re not small. But the quality of the group is the highest we’ve ever had. Expectations-wise, records and medals and those sorts of things as it is, my expectations for those kids is that they give me consistent effort in practice, consistent performances in meets, and if they do that and pay attention to the details, the other things will come.”
WOMEN’S POLE VAULT
Top returners
Olivia Privitera
Newcomers
Rachel Baxter, Lisa Gunnarsson, Paige Ritter
Overview
The women’s group lacked the depth of its male counterparts a year ago and saw Erica Hjerpe depart after she twice earned All-ACC honors in her career. Privitera, though, returns to lead a young group that features 2017 European U20 Championships gold medalist Gunnarsson.
Privitera enjoyed her best outdoor season this past spring when she qualified for the NCAA East Preliminaries with a career-best height of 13 feet, 5.25 inches. She tied for 14th there, just missing the NCAA Championships by two spots. Tech’s success, however, probably hinges on the performances of Gunnarsson and Baxter, a California native rated the No. 1 girls pole vault prospect in the nation by Track & Field News magazine.
Pole vault coach Bob Phillips’ take
“We were lucky to get two girls [Gunnarsson and Baxter] that talented signed in the same year. Their technical fundamentals are good, which helps a lot, and their speed is good, which is something that I haven’t always had in the past. Right now, those two, Olivia [Privitera] and Paige [Ritter], who won’t jump this year, all four of them have really good speed, which is really helpful. Practices are going well. They all have set PRs [personal records] of one sort or another in poles and grips and things like that. The signs are good. We just have to stay healthy and keep focused.”
MEN’S SPRINTS/HURDLES
Top Returners
Greg Chiles, Michael Davenport, Brandon Thomas, Darius Watkins
Newcomer
Keishaun Limehouse, Alex Davenport, Joseph Tay, Lawrence Harris, Nathan Hogye
Overview
The men’s sprinters and hurdlers enjoyed a terrific 2017 season, as sprints and hurdles coach Tim Vaught continues to rebuild in these areas. Chiles, Davenport, Thomas and Watkins combined for 14 All-ACC honors last winter and spring. Chiles headlines the group after setting the indoor record in the 400 and earning All-America honors as a member of the distance medley relay team that finished second at the NCAA Indoor Championships. He also set the school record and qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Championships in the 400 hurdles.
Davenport was the ACC Men’s Track and Field Freshman of the Year during the indoor season – the Hokies’ first sprinter to be named as such – after finishing fifth in the 200 at the league’s indoor meet. Limehouse will be one to watch, as the Coastal Carolina transfer excels in the 110-meter hurdles. Overall, this group has depth and talent, and it figures to be a key component of any Tech repeat at the ACC Championships.
Sprints/hurdles coach Tim Vaught’s take
“When you are on top, I always tell the student-athletes, it is harder to stay on top than to try to get to the top. You know, you have got to stay hungry and understand why you are here. It’s the reason why we won the conference championships last year. We worked hard and wanted to be No. 1, and if you can keep that mentality all the time, you can only be the best.
“As a mentality as an athlete, you always want to be the best at what you do, and you always want to be the hunter, not the hunted. If you keep that mindset, things will go well. Every time you step on the track, you’re the hunter. You’re not waiting for someone to catch you because you want to hunt and continue to be the best. For the athletes that did not win their respected individual events last spring, that’s what they are chasing now. For the athletes that did not make it to nationals last year, that’s what they are chasing after as well.”
WOMEN’S SPRINTS/HURDLES
Top Returners
Courtney Blanden, Shanel Burr, Arlicia Bush, Nora McKiver, Ama-Selina Tchume
Newcomers
Kennedy Dennis, Caitlan Tate, Adiah Gholston
Overview
The Tech women’s sprinters and hurdlers continue to get better, as Blanden, Bush, McKiver and Tchume got NCAA experience after qualifying for the NCAA Outdoor Championships in the 4x400 relay last spring. All four also earned All-ACC honors during the outdoor season in the 4x400 and 4x100 relays.
Blanden headlines the group after coming in second in the 200 at the ACC Indoor Championships, and she earned All-ACC recognition in the 400 during the outdoor season after she finished fourth at the ACC’s outdoor meet with a school-record time of 52.24 seconds. McKiver also brings experience and talent, as she ran the third-fastest time in school history in the 60 (8.34 seconds) while running unattached during the indoor season last winter. Fans also should keep an eye on freshmen Dennis and Tate, both of whom possess the potential to earn All-ACC honors.
Sprints/hurdles coach Tim Vaught’s take
“The newcomers this year … we got a young group, but a very talented group that is here. I’m looking for Caitlan Tate to be an outstanding short sprinter. I think her ability is untapped, but I’ve seen some bright things from her this fall. She’s been training hard and is very, very dedicated. The key on this level is staying healthy, and if everything goes as planned, she is going to be a big impact in the ACC this year. Kennedy Dennis is going to be a major impact as well. She is a tremendous starter. They go head-to-head at practice all the time, and I love it because it is bringing out the best of them.”
MEN’S THROWS
Top returners
Marek Barta, Collin McKenny, Matija Muhar, Matthew Reinhart
Newcomers
N/A
Overview
This small group of men’s throwers may not provide a lot in the way of scoring during the indoor season for new coach Andrew Dubs – none of these young men specialize in any indoor event – but the group figures to help the Hokies’ chances during the outdoor season. Barta leads the way after winning a silver medal in the discus at the ACC Outdoor Track and Field Championships last May and earning second-team All-America honors at the NCAA Championships. The senior, who holds the school record in the event (201 feet, 4 inches), is a two-time ACC silver medalist and a two-time All-American.
Muhar, coming off a redshirt season because of a shoulder injury, won the ACC crown in the javelin in 2016 and hopes to return to that form this spring. Reinhart finished fourth in the javelin last spring at the ACC outdoor meet, so he, too, is a threat. McKenny competes in the discus, along with Barta.
Throws coach Andrew Dub’s take
“The throws group here at Virginia Tech is no secret – the history that is here and the success the group had last year and before. Coming into it, I was excited because of the talent that’s here and the opportunities I would have to work with each of the student-athletes. It has just been fantastic and has lived up to the expectations that I thought it would be. I think we are setting up really well so far from what they have done last year to what I think we can do this year.”
WOMEN’S THROWS
Top returners
Pavla Kuklova, Emma Thor, Kajsa Wennberg
Newcomer
Lindsay Herra
Overview
Tech’s staff expects big things out of this group after both Thor and Kuklova earned All-America honors in the hammer throw during the outdoor season in 2017. Thor was a first-team-All-American as a freshman who also finished third at the ACC Championships. Kuklova earned second-team All-America honors as a sophomore after setting a personal best with a toss of 63.45 meters (208 feet, 2 inches), and she won a silver medal at the ACC outdoor meet. Wennberg possesses potential as well, as she came in eighth in the hammer throw at the ACC meet as a freshman. Herra transferred to Tech from Iowa, where Dubs used to coach. She competes in the discus and javelin and could score points for the Hokies in the weight throw during the indoor season.
Throws coach Andrew Dub’s take
“There are several returners who went to the national championships last year and got All-America honors. So obviously, the expectation for those student-athletes is to get back and try to finish higher than they did last year. But we have some other student-athletes on the team as well who have a lot of potential. We have had a lot of conversations about what some of their goals are individually, and they have set a high bar. I think the work they have put in so far has shown that they are going to achieve those goals.”