Hokie ClubKNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Virginia Tech track and field swept the pole vault on both sides and the men's distance medley relay took first while the women's DMR broke a school record on the final day of the Tennessee Relays at Tom Black Track at LaPorte Stadium on Saturday.
The pole vault was the first event of the day on the men's side, and junior Deakin Volz put together a season-best mark of 5.55 meters (18 feet, 2.5 inches) to place first. Torben Laidig tallied a fifth-place finish, vaulting a height of 5.15 meters (16 feet, 10.75 inches).
Freshman Rachel Baxter took first place on the women's side, clearing a height of 4.30 meters (14 feet, 1.25 inches). The mark is the third-highest outdoor mark in Tech history and ties Baxter's top mark during the indoor season set at the ACC Indoor Championships on Feb. 23.
"Rachel and Deakin did a nice job of taking advantage of good conditions," pole vault coach Bob Phillips shared. "Those are good early-season marks to build on and it's always good to get a win."
The quartet of Katie Kennedy, Laurie Barton, Sarah Edwards and Rachel Pocratsky turned in the fastest outdoor time in school history in the DMR, with a time of 11 minutes, 22.93 seconds to place second. It topped the previous time set in 2015.
The men's DMR group of Peter Seufer, Jared Bane, Diego Zarate, Vincent Ciattei took first with a time of 9:56.59.
Redshirt senior Lindsay Herra set a personal record in the discus for the third consecutive meet, spinning a mark of 49.88 meters (163 feet, 7 inches). The mark is the second-best throw in program history. Redshirt junior Collin McKenny placed 19th with a throw of 40.72 meters (133 feet, 7 inches).
"Really proud of Lindsay today," throws coach Andrew Dubs commented. "She took a huge step forward in what we're trying to accomplish. To struggle in the first two rounds, then come out and hit a mark to make the finals was important.
"The conditions were ideal today and you always want to take advantage of that, but the problem is a lot of times people press in those conditions and try to force a good throw. Once Lindsay was able to settle into the meet, she hit a great throw in the fourth round.
"To PR by nearly two meters was outstanding. A distance that will likely qualify her for the NCAA Preliminary round for the first time in her career. Getting over 160 feet was something she has been trying to do for a while and to finally accomplish that, I just couldn't be any happier for her. This will set her up really well for the rest of the season to be able to accomplish the rest of her goals."
In the triple jump, freshman Stefanie Aeschlimann placed eighth with a jump of 12.72 meters (41 feet, 8.75 inches).
The Hokies will split up next weekend and go to three meets – Duke Invitational, Mt. SAC Relays and War Eagle Classic.