BLACKSBURG – An event win by Arlicia Bush headlined the action on the second and final day of the Virginia Tech Challenge held Saturday at Rector Field House.
Tying the third-fastest mark in school history, Bush would win the 400-meter dash as she turned in a time of 53.54 seconds as Nykah Smith (54.43) and Ariana Rivera (55.80) finished second and third, respectively.
In the men's 400 Patrick Forrest finished third with his time of 48.03, while Patrick Atwell took fifth, crossing the finish line at 48.65.
In the pole vault Rachel Baxter cleared 4.46 meters (14 feet, 7.5 inches) to finish second. The junior attempted 4.56 meters, but missed on all three attempts.
On the men's side Jacob Rice recorded a personal best leap of 5.18 meters (17 feet, 0 inches) to take second as Harrison Rice finished fourth with his mark of 5.03 meters (16 feet, 6 inches) and Jaelyn Demory claimed fifth with a leap of 4.73 meters (15 feet, 6.25 inches).
Essence Henderson won her first event title as a Hokie with her mark of 15.43m (50 feet, 7.5 inches) in the shot put. Enid Duut would earn a third-place finish with a toss of 13.91 meters (45 feet, 7.75 inches) as Bryan Hudson used a personal best mark of 16.43 meters (53 feet, 11 inches) to come in fourth on the men's side.
Both Tech track and field teams will be making the final preparations for the biggest meet of the season – the ACC Indoor Track and Field Championships, which will be held next weekend at Notre Dame. The action starts Thursday morning with the first four events of the heptathlon and the first five events of the pentathlon. The finals of the distance medley relay events will be held that evening starting at 6 p.m. ET.
PERSONAL BESTS
Women's 400 Meters
Arlicia Bush (53.54)
Ariana Rivera (55.80)
Women's Shot Put
Enid Duut (13.91 meters; 45 feet, 7.75 inches)
Men's Pole Vault
Jacob Rice (5.18 meters; 17 feet, 0 inches)
(DAY ONE)
BLACKSBURG – Boasting solid performances throughout the afternoon, the Virginia Tech track and field teams wrapped up the first day of the Virginia Tech Challenge with nine event titles and several personal-best marks.
The Hokies got the afternoon started with the men's mile as Fitsum Seyoum (4:04.48) and Tyler Leeser (4:10.97) recorded personal best times to finish first and second, respectively.
Cate Stone was the next Hokie winner as she turned in a personal record mark of 1:33.74 in the women's 600 meters. Competing in the 600 on the men's side, Eldon Phillips earned the first collegiate win of his career, clocking a time of 1:19.91.
Ben Fleming would win the men's 1,000 meters with his time if 2:24.87, holding off fellow teammate Ben Nibbelink, who finished just behind him with a time of 2:26.26.
Grace Boone was the next Hokie to earn a place in the winner's circle when she ran a career-best time of 2:09.34 in the women's 800. Boone was soon followed by second-place finisher Ellie Brush (2:10.72), third-place finisher Hannah Ballowe (2:11.44) and fourth-place finisher Allie Zolkiewicz (2:14.45). Tech would also win the 800 on the men's side with Dave Whitfield's time of 1:52.88.
Kennedy Dennis was the lone event winner for the sprints group, posting a time of 7.44 seconds in the 60-meter dash.
In the men's long jump Keith Moore used a personal best mark of 7.38 meters (24 feet, 2.5 inches) to capture his first collegiate win.
Using a season best throw of 18.10 meters (59 feet, 4.75 inches) Emma Thor was able to win the women's weight throw as Kajsa Wennberg's mark of 17.16 (56 feet, 3.75 inches) meters was enough for a second-place finish.
Competing in the JDL Distance Medley Relay Invitational at the JDL Fast Track, the women's DMR team of Sarah Edwards, Arlicia Bush, Lindsey Butler and Sara Freix ran 11:10.18, the fifth-fastest time in school history, to finish second. The men's DMR group of Jack Joyce, Patrick Forrest, Bashir Mosavel-Lo and Peter Seufer came in third with their time of 9:40.07.
The Hokies return for the final day of the Virginia Tech Challenge, starting with the field events at 11:30 a.m. with the women's pole vault. Running events begin at 2:00 p.m. with the women's 400 meters.
PERSONAL BESTS
Men's Mile
Fitsum Seyoum (4:04.49)
Tyler Leeser (4:10.97)
Men's 600 Meters
Eldon Phillips (1:19.91)
Women's 600 Meters
Cate Stone (1:33.74)
Men's 1000 Meters
Ben Fleming (2:24.87)
Ben Nibbelink (2:26.26)
Women's 800 Meters
Grace Boone (2:09.34)
Ellie Brush (2:10.72)
Hannah Ballowe (2:11.44)
Allison Zolkiewicz (2:14.45)
Women's 200
Ariana Rivera (24.72)