Hokie ClubCOLUMBIA, S.C. – Sophomore Emma Thor took first place in the hammer throw and three sprinters sit in the top five with heats remaining in their respected events at the Weems Baskin Invitational on the campus of South Carolina at Cregger Track, headlining Virginia Tech track and field on Friday evening.
Thor, a native of Sweden, tossed a mark of 62.90 meters (206 feet, 4 inches), while Pavla Kuklova was right behind her with a second-place throw of 60.57 meters (198 feet, 8 inches). Kajsa Wennberg came in fifth place with a throw of 58.14 meters (190 feet, 9 inches), making three Hokies place in the top five of the hammer.
"I thought everyone who competed today had excellent starts," throws coach Andrew Dubs said. "Coming in we have been in some very heavy training, so we knew that the timing of their throws would be off. The goal today was to get into a good meet routine and for each student-athlete to stay focused on their self. And I thought everyone did an excellent job of that.
"Starting off with women's hammer as our first event, all three had great starts to their seasons and the most exciting thing was how consistent each of them were with their own respective series. Kajsa had all her legal marks over her season opener from last year and then hit a new collegiate PR over 58 meters. Pavla competed very well to have her best throw in the last round, that's always a great sign, especially when it was able to move her up to finish second overall behind her teammate.
"Emma wasted no time opening up at 62.90 meters, which is a great start. Then another throw over 62 meters and two more over 61 meters – extremely consistent performance. But the best part is she has a ton more in the tank, as does Kajsa and Pavla, when it comes to our timing. Great start to the season for all three."
On the men's side in the throws, sophomore Matthew Reinhart threw the second-best mark of his career with a heave of 59.51 meters (195 feet, 3 inches) to place fourth in the javelin. Reinhart competed at the Weems Baskin Invitational last year as well and topped his previous mark by more than five feet.
"For Matt in the javelin, he did a tremendous job of staying focused in tough conditions. After a difficult start in the prelim, he was able to come back with a good effort in the finals. He knows he has way more in the tank. I think today was just some first-meet jitters for him. But overall, coming off extremely heavy training, he hit exactly what we wanted and stayed focused on himself and found a good routine.
"Overall, I'm very pleased with all four of them today. Excellent start!"
The sprints/hurdles group were led by freshmen Kennedy Dennis and Caitlan Tate in the 100-meter dash. Dennis clocked a time of 11.57 seconds, the third-fastest time in school history, and Tate crossed the line in 11.66, the seventh-fastest time in program history. Their times are currently first and second through eight heats, with five more heats going at it tomorrow.
Sophomore Michael Davenport turned in a time of 10.65 in the 100 with a fifth-place finish. Similar to the women, there are more heats remaining tomorrow in the event.
The jumps group saw freshman Matthew Manilli register a mark of 6.90 meters (22'7.75"), earning an eighth-place finish. It was the first time the rookie has competed at the college level during the outdoor season.
The Hokies will be back tomorrow, starting at 9 a.m. ET with the women's triple jump.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Sat. | Weems Baskin Invitational | 9 a.m. ET | Live Results
OUTDOOR COLLEGIATE PERSONAL BEST
100
Kennedy Dennis, 11.57
Caitlan Tate, 11.66
Hammer
Kajsa Wennberg, 58.14m (190'9")