DURHAM, N.C. — Virginia Tech's Ben Fleming captured gold in the men's 3,000-meter steeplechase to keep the Hokies' title hopes alive at the 2022 ACC Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Morris Williams Stadium on the campus of Duke University.
The redshirt senior from Blacksburg, Virginia, held off a valiant effort by Yasin Sado of UVA to clinch the Hokies' third straight outdoor title in the event with a PR and facility record of 8:31.97. Fleming's performance was the second-fastest time in program history and shaved nearly six seconds off his previous best time.
Former teammate Fitsum Seyoum, who had been hyping Fleming up all season for the event, won gold in 2019 and 2021.
In addition to Fleming's big night, Ben Nibbelink also recorded a PR, clocking an 8:41.58 to place fifth in the steeplechase. He trimmed over eight seconds off his previous best time and now ranks third all-time at Tech in the event.
In total, the Hokies scored 14 points in the steeplechase to push their team tally to 36 points on the men's side. Florida State leads the way with 50 points through nine events scored.
On the women's side, Duke has the overnight lead at 49.5 points. Notre Dame is in second with 40 points, followed by Tech in third with 39 points.
Behind his season-best effort of 18.78m (61' 7.5"), Tyus Jones placed fourth in the men's shot put. Jones' mark was a season best. He set the school record in the event last season.
Building on his solid start in the men's decathlon from Thursday, Sean Murphy totaled 6,811 points to place sixth in the event and earn three points for the Hokies. Murphy's performance was the sixth-most points in school history in the event. He charted a PR or season best in six of the 10 events.
In the men's pole vault, Harrison Rice scored two points based on his seventh-place showing. The sophomore cleared 4.93m (16' 2") to go down as the top Hokie finisher in the event.
Barbora Malikova advanced to the finals of the women's 400, clocking a 53.73 – the fifth-fastest time in program history. She finished second in her heat and sixth in the prelims. On the men's side, Tyreke Sapp crossed the line in 46.26 – the fourth-fastest time in program history. He also took second in his heat and sixth in the prelims.
Essence Henderson uncorked a season-best 17.06m (55' 11.75") mark to claim silver in the women's shot put.
Displaying the clutch gene, Hailey Huston Myles delivered a 12.60m (41' 4.25") mark in her sixth and final attempt to place fourth in the women's triple jump.
A pair of Hokies advanced to the finals of the men's 100, including the defending champion, Cole Beck. The senior from Blacksburg set a facility record in the prelims (10.19) to advance as the No. 1 qualifier for the finals. Kahleje Tillmon finished fifth in the prelims, crossing the line in 10.36.
In the women's 800, Grace Boone used a PR of 2:05.62 to punch her ticket to the finals. Meanwhile, Seb Anthony dug deep in the final 100 meters to snatch the No. 1 qualifying position for the men's 800 with a PR of 1:47.54 – the fourth-fastest time in program history.
Chase Kappeler capped the night for the women with a sixth-place showing in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. Her 10:06.28 was a PR and the third-fastest time in Tech history.
The final day of the championships gets underway Saturday at 11 a.m. with the men's discus.
Gallery: (5-13-2022) T&F: 2022 ACC Outdoor Championship Day 2