Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG, Va. - The Virginia Tech pole vaulters led the Hokies track & field team with three top-two marks to conclude the Virginia Tech Invite.
Vaulter Torben Laidig and Deakin Volz placed first and second, respectively, both clearing 5.46-meters (17-11) while Brad Johnson took fifth with 5.14 meters (16-10 1/4). Laidig and Volz now rank fifth overall on the all-time Virginia Tech performance list with their marks today.
On the women’s side, Erica Hjerpe started the day off strong for the Hokies with a second place finish, reaching the 4.02-meter (13-2 1/2) mark. Hjerpe’s performance will place her eighth in Tech history.
Jack Strollo made his Hokie debut with a first place finish in section four of the 400-meter dash with a time of 50.64. Teammates Chester Hebden and Alexander Merritt secured second place finishes in their sections with times of 49.77 and 50.85, respectively.
On the women’s side in the 400-meter dash, Courtney Blanden had another strong day with a first place finish in section two, placing seventh overall, in 58.07. Jada Gundran took first in section four with a 59.11 time while freshman Kacia Vines clocked in at 58.24.
The women’s momentum continued with two more first place wins in sections four and five of the 200-meter dash by Ama-Selina Tchume and Shanel Burr, respectively. Tchume finished 12th overall in 25.41 with Burr in eighth at 25.23.
Tech wrapped up the day with a fifth place finish in the 4x400-meter event with a time of 3:17.81. Corey Hackett-Greene led off for the Hokies with Darius Watkins and Dante Price next and Hebden as anchor.
The Virginia Tech track & field team returns to Rector Fieldhouse next weekend to host the Hokie Invitational.