RALEIGH, N.C. – FRIDAY – A second day of competition saw three Hokies claim ACC titles and post elite marks at the 2021 ACC Outdoor Championships. Fitsum Seyoum, Tyson Jones, and Essence Henderson led the way as the newest champions on Tech's track and field roster.
Seyoum defended his 2019 title in the 3000m steeplechase with a nation-leading time of 8:31.23. The junior out of Leesburg, Va. crossed the finish line with outstretched arms and a triumphant look stretching across his face, no other competitors in sight. Seyoum's time breaks his own school record by nearly nine seconds, set the ACC Championships record and facility record, and ranks as the fastest time in the NCAA this year.
Earlier in the day Tyson Jones produced one of the most dramatic finishes to any shot put competition. Setting a PR and school record on his second attempt with a throw of 64' 3.75" (19.60m), Jones held the lead until the sixth round. Daniel McArthur of UNC delivered a massive throw to move into first, before Jones unleashed a 64' 9.75" (19.75m) bomb to win the event by one inch on the final throw of the competition.
"What Tyson was able to do in the manner in which he did it, that doesn't happen every day," Associate Head Coach Andrew Dubs said. "It was special to watch and he's a special person for being able to stay focused and keep his composure. We had a plan that we talked about two weeks ago coming into this meet, and he executed it to the letter. The meet fell the way we wanted it to, we knew it was going to come down to the sixth round, Daniel (McArthur) is an incredible thrower and Tyson had to be ready for the final round. Winning the prelim to get himself the final throw of the competition was valuable, and he was able to capitalize in the sixth round. To do that having already PR'ed twice, having the lead taken away, and having to go get it, that's just incredible."
Essence Henderson completed the Hokies' sweep of the ACC shot put competitions by winning the women's event with a school record throw of 56' 6.5" (17.23m). The All-American adds conference gold for the first time as a Hokie, outbattling all other competitors in the event. With her competitive glare softening into a mile-wide smile, the Virginia Tech record holder in the discus and both indoor and outdoor shot took her rightful place at the top of the ACC shot put podium.
"I'm just really happy for her, she's come to an ACC Championship two previous times, was leading and had the lead taken from her on the final throw," Coach Dubs said. "Third times a charm for Essence, and it only took one heck of a great throw. She executed what we'd been working on and did what she needed to do to put that together. She was focused, she was locked in, and there was no getting in her way. It wasn't a matter of if she was going to hit a big throw but which round was she going to hit it. She put the pressure on the other women and was able to hold on."
Two other Hokies earned conference silverware, as Jimmy Holt took bronze in the decathlon and Eszter Bajnok finished her strong weekend of jumps with bronze in the triple jump.
Following Thursday's successful set of preliminary rounds, Tech earned several more spots in finals as five Hokies advanced to their events' final rounds.
Cole Beck – 100m
Jacory Patterson – 400m
Reagan Bustamante – 800m
Lindsey Butler – 800m
Grace Boone – 800m
After the day's results had shaken out, the Hokies increased their point totals on both the men's and women's sides. The men's squad sits in first ahead of the final day of competition with 61.5 points, and the women's team holds second with 38, just one point behind Notre Dame.
The deciding day of the ACC Championships begins for the Hokies at 2 p.m., when Tyson Jones contests the discus and Rosie Cicmanec and Jordan Jones enter the high jump competition. Finals on the track begin at 5 p.m. with the 4x100m relays.Gallery: (5-14-2021) 2021 ACC OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS DAY 2
RALEIGH, N.C. – Alexios Prodanas clinched the first gold medal of the 2021 ACC Outdoor Track and Field Championships for the Hokies, finishing with the best mark in the men's hammer throw.
With a roar and a double fist pump, Prodanas watched his throw soar to a distance of 231' 2" (70.46m). Not only was the Kilkis, Greece native's bomb over three meters better than any other ACC thrower, the lifetime best throw for the senior ranks as the fourth best mark in the East division, the ninth in the nation, and makes him the sixth man in Hokies' history to break 70 meters in the hammer throw.
"I'm just extraordinarily proud of Alexios and how he competed," Associate Head Coach Andrew Dubs said. "He maintained composure the entire meet, stuck to the plan, and executed when it mattered most. Winning your first ACC title and breaking 70 meters are both big barriers for anyone to accomplish individually in a career, for Alexios to accomplish both of those on the same day, on the same throw shows what type of competitor he is."
Other Hokies to medal on Thursday included three vaulters who battled swirling winds on the runway, as Jacob Rice and Harrison Rice finished second and third in the competition. Clearing a height of 16' 7.25" (5.06m), Jacob Rice set a new outdoor career best for silver, and Harrison Rice reached 16' 3.25" (4.96m) for bronze.
Rachel Baxter earned third place and first team All-ACC honors in her first outdoor ACC Championships since 2018. At a height 13' 6.5" (4.13m), the senior adds another honor to her illustrious collection.
Freshman Sara Killinen joined fellow thrower Prodanas as a hammer throw medalist, taking second place in the first outdoor ACC Championships of her career. With two new lifetime bests throughout the competition, Killinen finished with a best mark of 213' (64.92m).
"In her first ACC championship final, Sara was outstanding," Coach Dubs said. "She had multiple PRs throughout her series and shined when it mattered most. Earning a silver medal is a great accomplishment for a true freshman. I've lost count of how many times she has improved her lifetime best so far this season. It is a testament to her great work ethic and focused mindset. As one of the top freshmen in the NCAA, she is only getting started and that is what is so exciting."
In addition to multiple field event finals, Hokies contested several of Thursday's preliminary rounds on the track. Advancing to Saturday's men's 200m finals were a trio of Tech sprinters: Cole Beck, Jacory Patterson, and Cameron Rose.
Three Hokies also moved on to the finals in the 1500m. Lauren Berman and Sarah Edwards both earned places in the 12-spot final slated for Saturday evening. On the men's side, Diego Zarate took the top spot in his heat to advance past the qualifying round.
Action resumes for the Hokies at 11 a.m. on Friday, as Stefanie Aeschlimann takes on the competition in the javelin throw, before James Holt and John Manilli begin the second half of their decathlon competition at 11:30. Running events begin for Tech at 5:50 when Matt Mitchell enters the 110m hurdles prelims, followed by both the men's and women's 400m prelims.
Gallery: (5-13-2021) 2021 ACC OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS DAY 1
