Hokie ClubEUGENE, Ore. - Virginia Tech track & field brought 11 Hokies to the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships in Eugene, Ore.
The men's squad finished T-23rd overall, with three First Team All-Americans and one honorable mention. The finish was the highest for the Hokies on the national stage since a 15th-place finish in 2018.
Ben Conacher was the first Hokie to secure All-American honors, passing bars at 5.18m, 5.33m, 5.43m, 5.53m and 5.58m to secure fourth-place overall and a First Team slot. Conacher is now the fourth Virginia Tech pole vaulter in the history of the program to finish top four at the national championships, following Yavgeniy Olhovsky (2008/2009), Brian Mondschein (2005/2006) and Torben Laidig (2016/2018).
Christian Jackson captured the heat win in the 800m to earn an automatic qualifying spot to the finals on Friday evening. Jackson clocked a 1:47.09 and eeked out the heat win, continuing on his path of five-consecutive heat wins.
Mariana Pestana threw for an American collegiate personal-best 66.41m on her second attempt to finish fourth in her flight at 11th overall, earning Second Team All-American honors for the effort. Pestana also elevated her standing as the No. 4 all-time top performer in the event for Virginia Tech.
Lindsey Butler fought for her spot back in the 1500m finals at the championship, pushing through for an automatic qualifier with 4:10.16 and a fourth-place heat finish. Butler will appear in the championship final for the 1500m for the second consecutive season.
Chiara SIstermann earned her second consecutive outdoor All-American honor, reaching a height of 4.24m (13'11") in the pole vault for second team honors.
In the men's discus throw, Vlad Puchko battled to a third-place finish. Through his first three throws, Puchko held steady at third, posting a 62.39m (204'8") on his first attempt for the position. After the first round of throws in the final, Puchko slid to fifth overall, and in his fifth attempt, he launched a 63.94m (209'9") to propel back to third place and to best his own Virginia Tech program record of 63.15m. He collected his first career All-American honor, landing on the first team.
Christian Jackson collected his first career individual event All-American honors in the 800m, finishing seventh overall in the championship final to land on the first team. He concludes the 2025 campaign as the collegiate national leader with his 1:44.83 from the ACC Championship final.
RESULTS
*indicates personal-best
Men's Pole Vault Final
(4) Ben Conacher - 5.58m (18'3.75")
Men's Steeplechase Semifinal
(19) Declan Rymer - 8:41.59
Men's 800m Semifinal
(7) Christian Jackson - 1:47.09 - heat winner
Women's Hammer Throw Final
(11) Mariana Pestana - 66.41m (217'10")*
Women's Pole Vault
(16) Chiara Sistermann - 4.24m (13'11")
(T-17) Lyndsey Reed - 4.24m (13'11")
(T-17) Julia Fixsen - 4.24m (13'11")
Women's 1500m Semifinal
(4) Lindsey Butler - 4:10.16
Women's 400m Semifinal
(17) Caitlyn Bobb - 52.54
Men's Discus Final
(3) Vlad Puchko - 63.94m (209'9")
Men's 800m Final
(7) Christian Jackson - 1:47.42