After a very busy last weekend, some of the Virginia team returned to compete this Friday and Saturday at the Arkansas Qualifier in Fayetteville, Ark. and the Virginia Tech Challenge in Blacksburg, Va. The weekend was headlined by the fall of a NCAA record in the men’s distance relay in Arkansas and strong performances from junior Sarah Akpan in the 60 and 200 meter race at Virginia Tech.
The Arkansas Qualifier was highlighted by the Virginia men’s distance medley relay where a team of four Virginia runners had an outstanding performance with Wes Porter running the 1200 meter leg, senior Alex Sherman for the 400 meters, graduate student Connor Murphy with two laps for the 800 meter leg, and a 1600 meter run delivered by junior Gary Martin.
The quartet finished with a time of 9:14.19. The race was fairly close, and there was some movement between the teams until Martin pulled away in the last few laps of the 1600. Not only did the Virginia runners break the facility, meet, ACC, and Virginia school record, they also set a new NCAA record.
Back in Blacksburg, the rest of the Cavaliers were busy with their own meet.
Junior Sarah Akpan had an excellent showing, coming in first in both the women’s 60-meter and 200-meter with respective times of 7.39 seconds — a new personal best — and 23.93 seconds. Sophomore Brooke’Lyn Drakeford finished fourth in the women’s 400 meters, also claiming a new personal record for her 56.83 time.
Freshman Maya Rollins sailed through the 60-meter hurdles, placing second in 8.49 seconds, while freshman Theresa Breckley threw her way into third in the women’s shot put with a throw of 13.89 meters.
On the men’s side, junior Evans White Jr. claimed third in the 400-meter in a mere 48.14 seconds. In the men's pole vault, junior Justin Rogers took fifth for his jump of 5.03 meters.
Junior Peter Djan hurtled into first place in the 60 meter hurdles in 7.95 — a season best, while junior Jeremiah Wilson placed third in 8.07.
After the fruitful regular season finale, Virginia will begin preparations for its postseason at the ACC Indoor Championships, which runs from March 1-3.
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