As the 2021 calendar year comes to a close, Virginia Tech Athletics will spend the month of December celebrating the Hokies' standout achievements from the past 12 months in a campaign called "Moments of Excellence."
The "Moments of Excellence" campaign will serve as a look back to the historic highlights and memorable accomplishments in Tech Athletics during 2021. Each varsity sport program will have an outstanding moment featured during December on the official Virginia Tech Athletics website and @HokieSports social media properties.
The women's outdoor track and field program had a historic finish at the NCAA Championship this past spring serving as their Moment.
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Track & Field 6/10/2021 1:28:00 AM
EUGENE, Ore. – SATURDAY – A great week of national championship competition concluded on Saturday as the women of Tech track and field put on a show. Lindsey Butler, Lauren Berman, and Essence Henderson all earned All-American nods as the Hokies finished the 2021 NCAA Championships with seven total All-Americans.
"We had a good meet here," Director of Track and Field Dave Cianelli said. "The highlights were Alexios in the Hammer, Essence in the discus and Diego in the 1500m. Two school records and a lifetime best for Alexios. Lindsey Butler finishing as a first team All American in the 800m at her first outdoor NCAA meet was a very good effort. The level at this meet continues to get better and we have to do the same. We have a young team so I am already looking forward to next year."
Essence Henderson took to Hayward Field for the Hokies in the discus throw, where she put together the greatest performance in the event in Tech history. Breaking her own school record on her very first throw of the day, Henderson wasn't satisfied just yet. On her third attempt of the flight, Henderson unleashed a bomb that flew 189' 4" (57.72m), shattering the record she set just two throws prior. Henderson finished the event in seventh after entering the day seeded 31st and claimed first team All-American honors.
Prolific 800m runner Lindsey Butler delivered a stunning effort in the finals of the event, roaring into a 6th place finish with a time of 2:02.83 to become a first team All-American. With 200m to go, Butler accelerated at breakneck pace to make up the distance between 10th and 6th place in a herculean effort that secured her status as an All-American both indoors and outdoors in the 800m.
Lauren Berman took on a monumental 1500m field and finished in 11th place, going 4:16.37 amidst fierce and hardnosed racing. Berman's performance saw her claim second team All-American honors, a testament and deserved conclusion to a dedicated Virginia Tech career.
In the triple jump, Eszter Bajnok wrapped up her third appearance at the NCAA Outdoor Championships with a 12th place finish and a best leap of 43' 9.75" (13.35m). The graduate from Kethely, Hungary took home a second team All-America nod, adding to her first team honor from 2018.
The Hokies finished the national championship meet with seven total All-Americans and two honorable mentions, with Alexios Prodanas providing the highest finish for Tech at fifth place in the men's hammer throw. While the NCAA season has concluded, several Hokies eye their shot at national competition with the USATF Olympic Trials set to begin this upcoming Friday, June 18. Qualifiers for the national meet will be announced Tuesday morning.
Gallery: (6-10-2021) 2021 WOMEN'S NCAA OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS