Hokie ClubCHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Hokies' distance took the Virginia Challenge by storm with two program records in the women's steeplechase from Jule Lindner and 5,000m by Katie Bohlke, and multiple entries into the school's top-ten list.
Lindner blitzed her first collegiate steeplechase and grabbed first-place with a 9:46.08, six seconds faster than the previous top time set in 2017. The freshman had a standout indoor season, competing in the ACC Championships for the 3000m, and now continues her momentum with the current NCAA lead in the steeplechase.
Almost an hour after Lindner's record-breaking performance, Bohlke put her own mark on Hokie history.
In her first collegiate 5,000m, Bolhke clocked in at 15:31.85 after a jaw-dropping kick, and captured the school's nearly 20-year-old record and first in the event.
On the men's side, the 5,000m saw its share of history as well.
Nicholas Kipchirchir climbed from third to second on the program's all-time list after a personal best 13:32.47, which was good for third in the event.
Indoor All-American George Couttie made his outdoor season debut with an all-time entry in the 5k, logging the third-best time in Virginia Tech history after a 13:33.81 performance.
The men's steeplechase also cracked into the top-ten list after Garrett Winter's personal-best 8:47.79 put him ninth all-time in program history.
Kenza Elakari grabbed second in the 1,500m with a personal-best 4:27.40 effort.
ACC Indoor 800m champion Christian Jackson made his outdoor debut with a personal best in the 1,500m (3:41.53). Fellow ACC Indoor 800m podium finisher, Dylan DeCambre, logged a personal best as well with a 3:43.36.
Up next
Virginia Tech will continue events on April 18 at the Virginia Challenge and the Tom Jones Memorial Invite.
Day 1 Results
Virginia Challenge
Women’s
100m - Prelims
Marvellous Asemota – 15th (11.90)
Jaala Thymes – 24th (11.95) (PB)
1,500m
Kenza Elakari – 2nd (4:27.40) (PB)
Jeorgi Gavalas – 7th (4:28.40) (PB)
Sidney Nolan – 36th (4:36.34)
Lydia Mikhin – 43rd (4:38.54)
1,500m - Invite
Sophia Holgado – 14th (4:17.94) (PB)
Steeplechase - Invite
Jule Lindner – 1st (9:46.08) (Program Record)
Elizabeth Coe – 11th (10:52.66)
5,000m
Kylie Bonser – 12th (17:27.80)
5,000m - Invite
Katie Bohlke – 1st (15:31.85) (Program Record)
Lila Waters – 11th (16:35.59) (PB)
Men’s
Hammer
Alex Hoffman – 9th (59.24m (194’ 8”))
Long Jump
Nathaniel Curtiss – 43rd (6.25m (20’ 6.25”))
Shot Put
Denzs Simmonds – 21st (16.26m (53’ 4.25”))
100m
Joseph Rozynski – 43rd (11.00)
Steeplechase
Carter Johnson – 9th (9:24.53)
800m - Invite
Nick Plant – 6th (1:46.54)
1,500m - Invite
Christian Jackson – 9th (3:41.53) (PB)
Sam Idiens – 12th (3:42.10)
Dylan DeCambre – 16th (3:43.36) (PB)
Roan Kelly – 29th (3:49.56)
William Winter – (3:50.20)
Ben Reynolds – 34th (3:53.17)
Steeplechase - Invite
Garrett Winter – 4th (8:47.79) (Ninth all-time for VT) (PB)
Cameron Davis – 5th (8:51.80) (PB)
Ethan Coleman – 14th (9:19.25)
5,000m - Invite
Nicholas Kipchirchir – 3rd (13:32.47) (Third all-time for VT) (PB)
George Couttie – 4th (13:33.81) (Fourth all-time for VT) (PB)
Ryan Chevalier – 18th (14:07.32) (PB)
Linus Chepkochei – 19th (14:08.09) (PB)
Tom Jones Memorial Invite
Women’s
200m
Zoey McFadyen – 45th (24.38)