BLACKSBURG – Outdoor track & field continues to pick up speed, as Tech athletes are set to travel to Columbia, S.C. for the Gamecock Invitational and Walnut, Calif. to compete in the USATF Golden Games at the Mt. SAC Relays.
Back in action for the first time since the Pepsi Florida Relays two weeks ago, both the sprints and throws groups are geared up to post more strong times and marks in Columbia. The one-day meet will run from 9 AM to around 6:30 PM on Saturday, April 16 as the two event groups eye big performances following a weekend off from competition.
Across the country in California, Rachel Baxter and Julia Fixsen will take their place among the world's best pole vaulters at the USATF Golden Games, held in conjunction with the 62nd Mt. SAC Relays. The Hokies will compete as two of only three collegiate athletes, joining professional vaulters competing for Nike, Greece, and others. Their competition is set to begin at 5:10 ET on Saturday.
Live results for both meets on Saturday will be available online, while CNBC will broadcast the USATF Golden Games live beginning at 5 PM on Saturday.
MEET INFORMATION
Gamecock Invitational
Sat. | Columbia, S.C. | Cregger Track | 9 AM | Live Results | Schedule
USATF Golden Games at the Mt. SAC Relays
Sat. | Walnut, Calif. | Hilmer Lodge Stadium | 9 AM | Live Results | CNBC
ATHLETES TO WATCH
Rachel Baxter eyes her outdoor opener, as weather has prevented her from vaulting since the NCAA Indoor Championships. Alongside Julia Fixsen, who set a huge outdoor PR at the Texas Relays a few weeks ago, the two Hokie vaulters are geared up to clear big bars in California.
In South Carolina, Tech gets set for another round of relays. Kahleje "KJ" Tillmon, Torrence Walker, Kennedy Harrison, and Cole Beck are scheduled to run the 4x100m at 1:40 on Saturday. Last time the four sprinters carried the baton they set a school record of 39.14 seconds at the Florida Relays and earned ACC Performer of the Week honors doing so.
Also getting off to a huge start to her outdoor season in Florida was Sara Killinen, who launched a hammer throw PR of 66.37m (217' 9"). Killinen still ranks second in the ACC with her throw from two weekends ago and has plenty more left in the tank heading into this Saturday's competition.