Hokie ClubKNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Senior Greg Chiles and junior Rachel Pocratsky won event titles for Virginia Tech track and field at the Tennessee Relays on Friday at Tom Black Track at LaPorte Stadium.
To begin the day, the 400-meter hurdles took place and Chiles ran the fastest time out of 23 competitors, clocking a time of 51.25 seconds. It marked his first event title of the outdoor season.
Redshirt senior Lawrence Harris crossed the finish line in 10.42 to place eighth in the 100-meter dash, tying the sixth-fastest time in school history. In the 100-meter hurdles, senior Shanel Burr posted a season-best time with a ninth-place finish in a time of 13.68.
Brandon Thomas, a sophomore, posted a season-best time of 47.97 in the 400 meters to place 11th. Tying her best time of the season in the 200, senior Courtney Blanden went 23.67 and junior Jared Bane set a personal record in the same event (21.33).
"Another title for Greg and he's really looking good right now," sprints/hurdles coach Tim Vaught mentioned. "He had a strong headway on the backstretch, that's why his time wasn't as fast as last time in the 400 hurdles, but he really competed and ran a good race.
"Law ran a personal best in the 100, that was big for him. Samuel Denmark and Joseph Tay ran PRs in the 100 and Jared Bane and Nathan Hogye set PRs in their races, too, which was good to see. I think the guys are getting back to where they need to be.
"Caitlan Tate set a PR in the 400, which was her first time running the open, good to see her do that and it will get her stronger in the 200. Arlicia Bush broke her personal best as well, doing it in the 200. Shanel ran a season best in the 100 hurdles and has been consistent so far.
"Across the board, there were some bright spots today."
The dominance of the Hokies' distance group was put on display in the 1,500 meters.
On the women's side, Tech put together five student-athletes in the top 10, including Pocratsky (4:16.06) finished in first with a personal record, Sarah Edwards (4:23.54) in fifth with a personal best, Katie Kennedy (4:24.47) in sixth, Laurie Barton (4:27.74) in seventh and Lauren Berman (4:28.60) in ninth with a PR. Pocratsky's time ranks fourth best in program history.
On the men's side in the same event, Diego Zarate finished in third with a time of 3:45.85, Jack Joyce (3:51.85) placed eighth and Owen Buck (3:51.90) took ninth, giving Tech three athletes in the top 10.
Redshirt senior Vincent Ciattei led the way in the 800 meters, placing eighth with a time of 1:52.02.
Olivia Privitera vaulted a height of 3.80 meters (12 feet, 5.5 inches) in the pole vault to place fourth, while Jaelyn Demory took 10th place, clearing a height of 4.65 meters (15 feet, 3 inches).
In the jumps, sophomore Eszter Bajnok registered a sixth-place finish in the long jump, soaring for a mark of 6.08 meters (19 feet, 11.5 inches).
The Hokies will be back at it tomorrow for the final day of the Tennessee Relays, which will be streamed live on the SEC Network +, starting at 11 a.m. ET. The day will consist of just relays on the track, while field events will be as normal.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Sat. | Tennessee Relays | 11 a.m. ET | Live Results | Stream