Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG, Va. – Virginia Tech track and field concluded its final home meet of the season with the VT Challenge, highlighted by Yekini Bowen, Roan Kelly, and Nate Paris making their way 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 recorded a season-best mark of 2.01 meters (6' 7"), while Rizzo followed with a jump of 1.91 meters (6' 3.25").
Nate Paris had a career day, moving into ninth all-time in program history for the 60-meter hurdles with a finish of 8.00 seconds. He also claimed second place in the long jump with a mark of 7.10 meters (23' 3.5").
In men's throws, Yekini Bowen made his program debut and posted a personal-best mark of 17.75 meters (58' 3") in the shot put, which earned him first place and secured his spot at 10th all-time in Virginia Tech history.
Denzs Simmonds also competed in the shot put, finishing third with a throw of 17.43 meters (55' 5.75").
Alex Hoffman earned second place in the weight throw with a personal-best mark of 18.88 meters (61' 11.5").
Roan Kelly broke into Virginia Tech's top-10 list after clocking a 1:48.48 in the 800 meters, which ranks him eighth in Hokie history and earned him first place among collegiate athletes.
Ben Reynolds finished closely behind Kelly in the 800 meters with a time of 1:50.03, placing second among collegiate athletes.
In the men's mile, Ethan Coleman set a personal-best time of 4:03.73, good for first place among collegiate competitors.
Evan Taylor achieved his first podium performance of the season, matching his personal-best time of 8.22 in the 60-meter hurdles to secure third place.
Armaan Dhillon anchored the men's events with a strong performance, recording a personal-best 48.89 in the 400 meters to finish second.
Katrin Brzyszkowska stood out in women's throws, earning second place in the shot put with a mark of 16.7 meters (54' 9.5").
The Hokies dominated the women's mile, with Sophia Holgado and Jeorgi Gavalas finishing first and second, respectively.
Chiara Sistermann closed out the meet for the Hokies with a clearance of 4.34 meters (14’ 2.75”), finishing third.
In women's sprints, Ashley Fulton earned her first event win of the season with a personal-best time of 24.22 in the 200 meters. Teammate Farah Nasir also claimed a win in the 400 meters with a time of 56.30, while Kenza Elakari finished third with a time of 58.44.
Up Next
The Hokies will conclude their regular season schedule on February 22 at the Battle for Boston DMR meet at Boston University, before kicking off the postseason at the ACC Championships from February 26-28 in Boston.
FULL RESULTS
Women's Results:
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 Results:
High Jump:
Nathaniel Curtiss – 2nd (2.01m / 6’ 7”) (Personal Best)
Reece Rizzo – 3rd (1.91m / 6’ 3.25”) (Tied Personal Best)
Weight Throw:
Alex Hoffman – 2nd (18.88m / 61’ 11.5”) (Personal Best)
Shot Put:
Yekini Bowen – 1st (17.75m / 58’ 3”) (10th All-Time for VT) (Personal Best)
Denzs 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)
Garrett 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)