COLUMBIA, S.C. and WALNUT, Calif. – Competing on both sides of the country Saturday, Tech track & field delivered incredible performances as the Hokies continue to pick up steam outdoors.
At the Gamecock Invitational in South Carolina, the 4x100m relay team of Cole Beck, Kennedy Harrison, Kahleje "KJ" Tillmon, and Torrence Walker stormed around the track in 39.05 seconds, breaking the school record they set just two weeks ago. The squad now holds the No. 2 time in the ACC and the No. 8 time in the country so far this season.
Across the nation just outside of Los Angeles, indoor NCAA champion Rachel Baxter made her first appearance of the outdoor season by winning the pole vault competition at the USATF Golden Games. Baxter cleared 4.50m (14' 9") to tie her outdoor personal record, now ranked No. 10 in the world, No. 3 in the NCAA, and No. 2 in the ACC. Volunteer Assistant Coach Bridget Williams also cleared the same height as Baxter and finished in third on attempts.
Shortly after taking part in the record-breaking relay, Kennedy Harrison obliterated his personal best in the 200m with a time of 20.50 seconds. Harrison's jaw-dropping run ranks as the second-fastest in Virginia Tech history, the 14th-fastest in the NCAA, and moves him into a tie for the ACC lead.
Not to be outdone, freshman Torrence Walker also smashed his lifetime best in the 200m with a blistering time of 20.95 seconds. The Wheeling, W.Va. native now holds the No. 10 time outdoors in Virginia Tech history.
Sara Killinen earned a victory in the hammer throw in Columbia, her mark of 66.04m (216' 8") the top of any competitor in the event. Just behind the sophomore was Rebecca Mammel, who finished in second with her launch of 59.62m (195' 7").
In the men's edition of the hammer throw, Khalil Bedoui delivered the best throw of his career with the Hokies, launching 63.60m (208' 8") to earn the win.
After a wild Saturday of track & field, the Hokies are geared up for more chances to post fast times and big marks. On April 22 and 23 the distance, jumps, and multis groups will head to Charlottesville, Va. for the Virginia Challenge, while members of the pole vault squad take another trip to South Carolina for the U of SC Open.