NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt christened the indoor track and field season in impressive fashion Friday to open the Commodore Challenge at the David Williams II Recreation and Wellness Center.
Haley Bishop reset the 300-meter record and Grace Jenson secured the program’s second-best time in the 1,000 meters during the indoor debut of first-year head coach Althea Thomas.
“The team did very well getting back on the track and executing what we’ve been working on all fall,” Thomas said. “I was very pleased with their ability to manage the distractions of a track meet – the distractions of a starter and other teams – and simply do what they have been doing really well. I’m very pleased and the results were amazing.”
The Commodores dominated the 300 meters in fine fashion with Bishop charging to first place in 38.33. She was flanked by Kaira Brown (39.45) and Madison Fuller (39.53) among the top three with Jordan Smith (40.45) checking in with a sixth-place finish.
The performances by Bishop, Brown and Fuller eclipsed that of Faith Washington’s 39.86 set during the 2014 Music City Challenge.
“Three ladies breaking the 300 meter record, and Haley Bishop getting her second career school record was a great way to start the season,” Thomas said. “She started right where she left off, and that’s good business.”
In the 1,000 meters, Jenson’s second-place showing of 2:47.42 paced eight Commodore finishers among the top 12 while giving her sole possession of second place in the record books. Now, only Kat Delaney’s 2:47.16 set in 2016 remains on Jenson’s horizon.
“Grace had not run a 1,000-meter race in college, but she’s an outstanding student-athlete for us,” Thomas said. “Her time may be among the top-5 nationally after this weekend, and that’s outstanding. That’s a confidence booster and matches the endurance she had in the fall.”
Josephine Dal cleared 1.65m in the high jump to take fifth while achieving a personal best.
Jessica Creedon spanned 5.08m in the long jump, a mark good for 21st overall.
The two-day event featuring 14 teams resumes Saturday with live results available at VUCommodores.com.
