BLACKSBURG – Junior Sara Killinen ranks first in the NCAA opening the 2024 Virginia Tech indoor season with a throw of 73' 7.50" (22.44m) in the women's weight throw.
"It was a very strong opener for Sara today," said associate head coach Andrew Dubs. "You always want to use the first meet to get back into the competition mindset and she did just that. She performed like the veteran that she is and I am happy with her performance."
Killinen qualified for the finals with a throw of 72' 0.5" (21.95m) on her second attempt of the day.
Senior Khalil Bedoui won the men's weight throw with his first throw of the day 64' 1.25" (19.54m).
Sprints
Sophomore Judson Lincoln IV controlled the men's 300m race clocking in a personal-best time of 32.60. Ali Diaby finished first in his heat, second overall, with a time of 33.67. Kennedy Harrison completed the Hokies 1-2-3 sweep with a time of 33.84.
Diaby placed fourth in the 60m finals stopping the clock at 6.75, followed by Maximus James in fifth at 6.84.
Jumps
Victoria Gorlova, a native of Odintsovo, Russia, finished first among collegiate athletes in the women's long jump with a mark of 19' 11.75" (6.09m). Gorlova starts the season ranked 14th in the NCAA.
Junior Caleb Stephens finished third in the men's long jump with a distance of 23' 8.25" (7.22m), ranked sixth in the ACC.
Distance
Senior Alec Fleming started the 2024 campaign in the 3000m crossing the finish line second with a time of 8:21.16. Garrett Winters followed closely behind in third (8:24.31), and Blake Fairbanks in fourth (8:27.30).
Sophomore Christian Jackson returned the track for the first time in over a year placing fourth in the men's 1000m at 2:25.65.
Pole Vault
Freshman Kennedy Drish claimed the first win of the season for the Hokies clearing a personal-best height of 13' 3.50" (4.05m) in the women's unseeded pole vault.
Heptathlete Sean Murphy tied for first in the men's unseeded pole vault clearing the bar at personal-best height of 16' 0.75" (4.90m).
Day Two
Day Two of the Virginia Tech Invitational begins at 11:00 a.m. with the women's pole vault, running events will begin at 1:00 p.m. in the Rector Field House.
Virginia Tech Invitational
Blacksburg, Va.
Jan 12, 2024 – Top 10 Results (Full Results)
Women's
Unseeded Pole Vault
1. Kennedy Drish - 13' 3.5" (4.05m) *PR
Long Jump
2. Victoria Gorlova - 19' 11.75 (6.09m) *14th in the NCAA
6. Cierra Pyles - 19' 2.5" (5.85m)
Weight Throw
1. Sara Killinen - 73' 7.25" (22.44m) *First in the NCAA
1000m
6. Chase Kappeler - 2:55.32
Wavy Pro Invite Pole Vault
1. Bridget Williams - 15' 6.25 (4.73m)
3. Rachel Baxter - 14' 9.5" (4.51m)
Men's
Weight Throw
1. Khalil Bedoui - (64' 1.25") 19.54m (first throw of the day)
Lump Jump
3. Caleb Stephens - 23' 8.25" (7.22m)
6. Altan Mitchell - 22'9" (6.93m)
Unseeded Pole Vault
1. Sean Murphy – 16' 0.75" (4.90m) *PR
6. Clay Eckert – 15' 7" (4.75m) *PR
T7. Gavin Horton – 15" 1" (4.60m)
T7. Jack Helmich – 15" 1" (4.60m)
60m (Prelims)
3. Ali Diaby - 6.76 Q
5. KJ Tillmon - 6.84 q
6. Maximus James - 6.86 q
60m Final
4. Ali Diaby - 6.75
5. Maximus James - 6.84
Men's 300m
1. Judson Lincoln IV - 32.60 *PR
2. Ali Diaby - 33.67
3. Kennedy Harrison - 33.84
1000m
4. Christian Jackson - 2:25.65 *PR
3000m
2. Alec Fleming - 8:21.16
3. Garrett Winter - 8:24.31
4. Blake Fairbanks - 8:27.30
6. Sam Hubert - 8:29.32
7. Azaan Dawson - 8:32.11Gallery: (1-12-2024) TF: VT Invitational Day 1
