BLACKSBURG – Competing in three meets across the Southeast, the Hokies earned 13 event wins in a fantastic tune-up with the ACC Championships looming just two weeks away.
Highlights from a jam-packed Saturday included Cameron Rose's sprints threepeat, Essence Henderson's double performance in the discus and shot put, and the freshman high jump duo of EJ Bell and Aidan Clark.
"It was a fantastic weekend at three different sites," Director of Track and Field Dave Cianelli said. "The jumpers and multis at Georgia were great, the middle-distance group is looking great up at UVA, plus the throwers had an awesome meet. Cameron Rose had a career meet winning both the 100 and 200 meters, and Patrick and Tyreke looked great going one-two in the 400 meters and both going under 47 seconds. I am so excited for ACC championships in two weeks. Our athletes are ready."
Rose finished first in two individual events and ran the opening leg of the Hokies' winning 4x100m relay. Showing stamina and speed across a three-hour period in Tennessee, the freshman's 100m debut of 10.36 seconds places him in a tie for sixth place all time at Virginia Tech.
Henderson faced off against two grueling events in the discus and shot put, winning the former with a throw of 177'8" (54.15m) before moving immediately to the shot put. Henderson earned second place in the shot with a new personal best throw of 54'1" (16.48m).
"Overall, top to bottom, very good day for the throwers," Associate Head Coach Andrew Dubs said. "We are in the right spot as we head into the ACC Championship in two weeks. Every thrower had good things to take away from today."
At the Torrin Lawrence Memorial in Athens, Ga. EJ Bell and Aidan Clark made Hokies history. The pair of freshman high jumpers took first and second in the event, both clearing 7' 1.5" (2.17m). Their lifetime best jumps place them in a tie for second all-time at Virginia Tech.
"I can honestly say that in my 17 years of coaching, I've never been prouder of the performance of my group as a whole," Assistant Coach Paul Zalewski said. "These young men and women were quite simply incredible. The key now is staying focused over the next two weeks and being ready for the conference championships and beyond."
The final event of the day was an electric 1500m race between Lauren Berman and Lindsey Butler. The Hokies finished first and second in the event, as Berman overtook her teammate with a gutsy kick on the last turn under the lights.
With only two weeks left before the 2021 ACC Outdoor Track and Field Championships, the Hokies are locked in and humming with postseason competition fast approaching.
Notable Results
Cameron Rose
1. 100 Meters – 10.36 seconds
1. 200 Meters – 20.91 seconds
1. 4x100 Meter Relay – 40.08 seconds
EJ Bell
1. High Jump – 7' 1.5" (2.17m)
Aidan Clark
2. High Jump – 7' 1.5" (2.17m)
Essence Henderson
1. Discus Throw – 177'8" (54.15m)
2. Shot Put – 54'1" (16.48m)
Tyson Jones
1. Shot Put – 61'10.5" (18.86m)
Lauren Berman
1. 1500 Meters – 4:16.54
Lindsey Butler
1. 1500 Meters – 4:17.63
Sarah Edwards
3. 800 Meters – 2:06.12
Rachel Baxter
1. Pole Vault – 14' (4.27m)
Alexios Prodanas
1. Hammer Throw – 224' 6" (68.42m)
Eszter Bajnok
3. Triple Jump – 44' 1.5" (13.45m)
Makhia Jarrett
2. 200 Meters – 23.88 seconds
Kennedy Dennis
3. 200 Meters – 23.94 seconds
Sara Killinen
1. Hammer Throw – 210' 3" (64.08m)
Emma Thor
3. Hammer Throw – 202' 6" (61.72m)
Chauncey Chambers
1. Triple Jump – 52' 4.75" (15.97m)
Cameron Rose, Jacory Patterson, KJ Moore, Cole Beck
1. 4x100 Meter Relay – 40.08 seconds
Patrick Forrest
1. 400 Meters – 46.985 seconds
Tyreke Sapp
2. 400 Meters – 46.988 seconds
Matt Mitchell
1. 110 Meter Hurdles – 14.51 seconds
Harrison Rice
1. Pole Vault – 16' 10" (5.13m)