GAINESVILLE, FLA. – Saturday – Jacory Patterson continued to pad his already legendary resume with one of the greatest 400m performances in Virginia Tech history at the Florida Relays.
"It is so exciting to watch Jacory compete because you always see something special," Director of Track and Field Dave Cianelli said. "I can't wait to see what this season has in store for him."
In a loaded field with 28 of the best sprinters in the country, Patterson produced an Olympic-standard race to cross the line at 44.81 seconds in second place. With his signature gliding style of running propelling him down the track, the junior from South Carolina launched himself into elite company among 400m athletes. Now holding the third fastest time in the world, the third fastest time in the nation, the top time in the ACC, and a new school record, Patterson hasn't stopped turning heads since his spikes hit the track for Virginia Tech. Having posted a time below the IAAF's Olympic standard of 44.90 seconds only two meets into the outdoor season, Patterson is poised to light up the record books as championship meets approach on the horizon.
"Jacory steps up to the plate every time he runs," Associate Head Coach Tim Vaught said. "There's not many people that can say they've run a 44 second 400m. This is his first 400m outdoors, in five weeks think of what he's going to be able to run at ACCs. It's early in the season, the goal is to just keep him healthy and keep him focused. He's had ups and downs, but this is his time."
Patterson wasn't the only Hokie to deliver during Saturday's events. Four other Virginia Tech sprinters contested the 400m dash, with Caitlan Tate representing on the women's side. Tate posted a time of 54.47 seconds, setting a career outdoor best in the event and earning 18th place. On the men's side, Patrick Forrest cracked the top ten with a 47.05 performance and finished ninth, while Tyreke Sapp followed with a 48.31 20th place performance.
"This is Caitlan's first outdoor season since COVID, and to already have two personal best marks is huge for her," Coach Vaught said. "She's building her confidence up, and I think she's definitely on pace to be ready for ACCs in 5 weeks. For her to be able to bounce back from injury in the ACC Indoors has put her back on pace to do well at the outdoor conference championships."
In the Virginia Invitational women's hammer throw, Sara Killinen and Emma Thor continued their strong start to the outdoor throws season. Killinen finished the competition in fourth with a throw of 194' 2.5" (59.19m), and Thor placed seventh thanks to her mark of 189' 3.75" (57.70m).
Three women took on the high jump in Charlottesville, led by Rosie Cicmanec. Cicmanec cleared the winning height of 5' 7.25" (1.71m) and finished third on attempts, while Laurel Miller and JaneAnne Tvedt both recorded outdoor career bests. Miller placed fourth in the event on a 5' 5.25" (1.66m) jump, and Tvedt secured 10th place with a 5' 1.25" (1.56m) personal best jump.
Next up for the Virginia Tech track and field squads is a trip to Knoxville, Tenn. on April 9th for the Tennesee Relays, before another date in Charlottesville and the Virginia Challenge on April 16th.
GAINESVILLE, FLA. – Friday – With half the team taking a rest from competition, the sprints, throws, and jumps squads put in strong performances on the first day of the weekend's meets.
In her first discus competition for three years, Essence Henderson returned with an emphatic 180' 4" (54.98m) throw to break Virginia Tech's twelve-year-old discus record by over seven feet. Henderson's mark earned fourth place honors at the Florida Relays, and gives her the fourth best throw in the ACC this season and the 13th in the nation.
Only one track event was contested by the Hokies on Friday, as six athletes competed in the 200m dash. On the women's side of the event, Caitlan Tate and Makhia Jarrett crushed their previous outdoor bests, running 23.73 and 24.16 respectively. For the men, Cole Beck and Cameron Rose led the way, placing 10th and 11th in the stacked event. Beck crossed the line at 21.06 seconds, while the freshman Rose clocked a 21.15. Grad transfer Michael Bell set a career best in the race, finishing with a 21.44 to set a new best mark.
At the Virginia Invitational in Charlottesville, Chauncey Chambers continued his red-hot start to the outdoor season with another podium finish in the triple jump. Following his win at the Weems Baskin Relays last weekend, Chambers leapt 49' 7" (15.11m) to secure second place in the event.
Action resumes for the Hokies in Gainesville on Saturday at 10 a.m. in the men's discus competition, while a full day of sprints kicks off at 1 p.m. with the 4x100m relays. High jumpers Laurel Miller, Rosie Cicmanec, and JaneAnne Tvedt kick things off for Virginia Tech at the Virginia Invite at 1 p.m.