Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG, Va. – Virginia Tech track and field concluded its final home meet of the season with the VT Challenge, highlighted Yekini Bowen, Roan Kelly, and Nate Paris entering into the program's top-10 list.
Nathaniel Curtiss and Reece Rizzo opened the day with second and third-place finishes, respectively, in the high jump. Curtiss hit a season-best mark of 2.01 meters (6' 7") while Rizzo followed up with 1.91 meters (6' 3.25").
Nate Paris had a career day. He improved to ninth all-time in program history for the 60 hurdles after finishing in 8 seconds flat, and grabbed second-place in the long jump after a mark of 7.10 meters (23' 3.5").
For men's throws, Yekini Bowen made his program debut where he posted a personal-best mark of 17.75 meters (58' 3") in shot put, which was good for first place and 10th all-time in Virginia Tech history.
Denzs Simmonds also competed the shot put where he finished third after a throw of 17.43 meters (55' 5.75") in shot put.
Alex Hoffman earned second-place with a personal-best mark of 18.88 meters (61'11.5") in the weight throw.
Roan Kelly cracked into Tech's top-10 list after dashing to a 1:48.48 finish in the 800 meters, which puts him eighth in Hokie History and earned him first-place among collegiate athletes.
Ben Reynolds finished close behind Kelly in the 800 with a time of 1:50.03 and second among collegiate athletes.
In the men's mile, Ethan Coleman hit a personal-best 4:03.73, good for first among collegiate competitors.
Evan Taylor tabbed his first podium performance of the season after matching his personal-best 8.22 in the 60-meter hurdles to secure third.
Armaan Dhillon anchored the men's events strongly, achieving a personal best 48.89 in the 400 meters to finish second.
Katrin Brzyszkowska showed out for women's throws, earning second in shot put after a mark of 16.7 meters (54' 9.5")
Hokies dominated in the mile with Sophia Holgado and Jeorgi Gavalas finishing first and second, respectively, for the women.
Chiara Sistermann concluded the meet for the Hokies with a clearance of 4.34m (14’ 2.75”), finishing third.
For women’s sprints, Ashley Fulton earned her first event win of the season with a personal best 24.22 in the 200 meters, before teammate Farah Nasir also tabbed one in the 400 meters with a 56.30, followed by Kenza Elakari in third with a time of 58.44.
Up Next
The Hokies will conclude their regular season schedule Feb. 22, at the Battle for Boston DMR meet at Boston University, before kicking off the postseason at the ACC Championships Feb. 26-28 in Boston.
FULL RESULTS
Women’s
- Shot Put: Katrin Brzyszkowska – 2nd (16.70m (54’ 9.5”))
- Pole Vault: Chiara Sistermann – 3rd (4.34m (14’ 2.75”)) | Erin Kelleher (unattached) – 5th (4.24m (13’ 11”)) | Kelsey Lovercheck – 10th (3.94m (12’ 11”)) (Personal-Best)
- 60m (Prelims): Jaala Thymes – 4th (7.64) (Personal-Best)
- 800m: Kenza Elakari – 4th (2:07.94) (Personal-Best)
- 200m: Ashley Fulton – 1st (24.22) | Jaala Thymes – 5th (25.09)
- Mile: Sophia Holgado – 1st (4:47.06) (Personal -Best) | Jeorgi Gavalas – 2nd (4:48.50) (Personal-Best) | Kylie Bonser – 5th (5:01.01) (Personal-Best)
- 400m: Farah Nasir – 1st (56.30) | Kenza Elakari – 3rd (58.44) | Avery Legault – 4th (58.99) | Sidney Nolan – 6th (59.68) | Mirra Bowman – 8th (59.88)
Men’s
- High Jump: Nathaniel Curtiss – 2nd (2.01m (6’ 7”)) (Personal-Best) | Reece Rizzo – 3rd (1.91m (6’ 3.25”) (Ties Personal-Best)
- Weight Throw: Alex Hoffman – 2nd (18.88m (61’ 11.5”)) (Personal-Best)
- Shot Put: Yekeni Bowen – 1st (17.75m (58’3”)) (10th All-Time for VT) (Personal-Best) | Denz Simmonds – 3rd (17.43m (57’ 2.25”)) | Alex Hoffman – 5th (16.91m (55’ 5.75”))
- Pole Vault: Conner McClure (unattached) – 4th (5.34m (17’ 6.25”) | Layne Studer (unattached) – T-7th (5.19m (17’ 0.25”)) | Jack Helmich 10th – (4.74m (15’ 6.5”))
- 60H (prelims): Nate Paris – 2nd (8.00) (9th All-Time for VT) (Personal-Best)|
Evan Taylor – 5th (8.38) - 60H (Finals): Evan Taylor – 3rd (8.22)
- Long Jump: Nate Paris – 2nd (7.10m (23’3.5”)) |
Nathaniel Curtiss – 6th (6.76m (22’ 2.25”)) | Reece Rizzo – 9th (6.31m (20’8.5”)) - 800m: Roan Kelly – 2nd (1:48.48) (8th All-Time for VT) (Personal-Best) |
Ben Reynolds – 3rd (1:50.03) (Personal-Best) |
Cameron Davis – 5th (1:50.41) (Personal-Best) - Mile: Ethan Coleman – 3rd (4:03.73) (Season-Best) |
Garret Winter – 4th (4:04.02) (Personal-Best) - 400m: Armaan Dhillon – 2nd (48.89) (Personal-Best) | Cameron Davis – 5th (50.51) (Personal-Best) | Roan Kelly – 6th (50.74) (Personal-Best) | Matt Pueschner – 8th (52.25)