CHARLOTTE, N.C. – On a rainy Saturday in North Carolina, members of the Virginia Tech jumps group added more numbers and competition experience in the 2021 outdoor season at the Charlotte Invitational.
"It was far from perfect, but I was happy with the way things went given the weather," Assistant Coach Paul Zalewski said. "Laurel jumping a PR is definitely a highlight. To jump that well in constant rain is really impressive. Aidan and EJ jumped well too after not competing in over a month. All in all, it was a good weekend."
Laurel Miller and Rosie Cicmanec opened things up for the Hokies in the women's high jump. Miller recorded a lifetime best for both indoor and outdoor competition by clearing the bar at 5' 6" (1.68m) to earn second place in the event. Cicmanec placed third with her clearance of 5' 2.25" (1.58m).
The two freshman high jumpers on the men's side, Aidan Clark and EJ Bell, impressed in their return to the runway. Clark won the event with an outdoor career best of 6' 8.75" (2.05m). Bell went 6' 4.75" (1.95m) to finish in third place.
Next weekend will see the Hokies take on three different meets: the Virginia Grand Prix in Charlottesville, the Torrin Lawrence Memorial in Athens, Ga., and the Tennesee Challenge in Knoxville, Tenn. With the ACC Championships quickly approaching, Tech's track and field squads will look to lock in their form heading into the postseason.