Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG, Va. — George Couttie set a collegiate best in the 2,000 meters to highlight opening-day competition at the Hokie Invitational on Friday, while Virginia Tech’s men’s sprint squad posted an all-time performance at the Stan Scott Invitational.
Couttie competed in the 2,000 meters, where he finished as the top collegiate finisher and set a new collegiate all-time best with a time of 4:57.81, becoming the first collegian to break five minutes in the event and establishing a Virginia Tech program record.
The performance came one week after Couttie represented Great Britain at the World Cross Country Championships in Tallahassee, Fla., where his squad finished seventh (23:11) in the mixed relay. In December, he opened his collegiate indoor season by running a career-best 7:36.74 in the 3,000 meters at the Boston University Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener, ranking No. 9 all-time in NCAA history and setting a Virginia Tech program record.
Virginia Tech Director of Cross Country and Track & Field Ben Thomas also had Olympian and world champion Cole Hocker competing in the 2,000 meters. Hocker, who continues to train under Thomas, ran 4:52.92 to break the American record and set a facility record at Rector Field House.
Thomas’ athletes accounted for two national records during the meet.
Nick Plant won the 3,000 meters in 8:13.80, followed by Ryan Chevalier in second (8:18.36).
Jack Hemlich placed third in the pole vault with a clearance of 4.90 meters (16' 0.75").
On the women’s side, Kaitlyn Cook recorded a 6.04m(19' 9.75") long jump to move to No. 3 on Virginia Tech’s all-time list. She later won the 60-meter hurdles in a personal-best 8.42.
Lila Waters won the 3,000 meters in 9:23.42. Sophia Holgado placed fourth (9:48.78), and Kylie Bonser finished eighth (10:05.54).
The women’s distance medley relay team of Jule Lindner, Avery Legault, Sidney Nolan and Katie Bohlke finished second in 11:20.68 in its season debut.
Kenza Elakari placed second in the 1,000 meters with a personal-best 2:50.24.
Stan Scott Invitational
In Lubbock, Texas, Nabil Tezkratt, Calvin Meyer, Elijah Mosley and Julian Roberson ran 3:07.44 in the 4x400 relay, ranking No. 6 all-time in Virginia Tech history and finishing third.
Up Next
Virginia Tech returns to action Saturday for the final day of the Hokie Invitational at Rector Field House.