BLACKSBURG – Senior Rebecca Mammel opened the 2023 season leading the nation in the women's weight throw for Virginia Tech track and field at the Virginia Tech Invitational on Friday.
Mammel opened the weight throw with her best throw of the day, 22.96m. Her mark is currently ranked first in the nation. Sara Killinen placed second throwing 22.17m, currently the third best mark in DI. The Hokie pair were the only women of the day to throw past 20m.
Sprints / Hurdles
Tech swept the men's 60m dash and 300m as Cole Beck crossed the finish line first in the 60 meters with a time of 6.66. Following closely behind, Ali Diaby placed second (6.71) and Kahleje Tillmon finished third (6.77). Beck's winning time places him in the top-five in the country. In the men's 300m, Kennedy Harrison claimed first with a personal-best time of 33.05. Judson Lincoln IV placed second (33.33) followed by Ali Diaby in third (33.41).
Layla Anderson started the season on a high note finishing first in the 60m hurdles with a personal-best time of 8.28. Anderson placed second in the 300m stopping the clock at 38.74.
Distance
Viktor Idhammar and Star Price took home a pair of event wins for Virginia Tech in the men's and women's 1000m. Idhammar took over the men's race in the final 200m to win the race clocking in a time of 2:23.46. Price overcame her teammate Ava Hassebrock to win the race with a time of 2:48.13. Hassebrock crossed the line second at 2:48.66.
In the women's 3000m, Lindsey Butler finished second with a time of 9:27.05. Hannah Ballowe followed behind in fifth clocking in a personal-best time of 9:49.32. Arlo Ludewick finished fifth in the men's 3000m with a time of 8:22.47.
Jumps
Chauncey Chambers needed only one attempt in the men's triple jump to take home the crown jumping 16.03m. Chambers is one of three men in the entire NCAA to jump past 16m this season.
Cierra Pyles held onto second place in the women's triple jump reaching a distance of 12.60m in her third attempt. Pyles' mark is currently ranked seventh in DI.
Pole Vault
Erin Kelleher claimed her first career victory in the women's pole vault (unseeded) clearing a height of 4.0m on her first attempt.
The Virginia Tech Invitational will resume at 11:00 a.m. with the women's high jump and pole vault. Track events are scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m.Gallery: (1-13-2023) T&F: VT Invite Day 1
