April 3, 2015
Day 1Â Results – Tiger Track Invitational: HEREÂ
Day 1Â Results – Stanford Invitational: HEREÂ
Friday was a big day for the Commodores — on both coasts.
With some competing in California and others in action in Alabama, the members of the Vanderbilt track and field set a total of eight personal records to get the weekend started in impressive fashion.
“It was mission accomplished for us today,” said Vanderbilt head coach Steve Keith. “This is the time of the year when you want to see everyone going in the right direction, and that’s what we saw. Everyone was firing on all cylinders.”
Sophomore All-American Simone Charley and junior Tierney Price delivered big performances in the triple jump for the Commodores in the Tiger Track Invitational hosted by Auburn. Charley captured first place by posting a mark of 41-11.75 on her final attempt, and Price set a huge PR with a mark of 40-7.50 to take sixth place.
“I am really proud of both Simone and Tierney,” said Vanderbilt assistant coach Clark Humphreys. “Tierney has been on the verge of a big jump for a while now, and she really put it together today. And Simone started rough today but — true to her pedigree — she came through with the victory on her final jump. We are looking forward to seeing what this dynamic duo can do the rest of the outdoor season.”
Meanwhile, out West, a large collection of Commodores came through in a big way during the opening day of the the Stanford Invitational in Palo Alto, Calif.
The list of highlights included Claire Benjamin shattering her previous best by 35 seconds in 5000-meter run with a time of 16:29.07. Vanessa Valentine also set a PR in the 5k with a time of 16:48.
Sara Barron led a strong contingent of Commodores in the 1500 by finishing third in her heat with a time of 4:23.7, and six of her teammates each set new personal bests in the event — Katherine Delaney (4:26), Reagan Anderson (4:27), Carlos Carmen (4:29), Courtney Kriegshauser (4:35), Maddie Criscione (4:38) and Megan Huebner (4:43).
“Claire (Benjamin) came out and really set the tone for us,” said Keith, “and from there, the rest of the girls just kind of followed her lead. Our group that ran in the 1500 really did a great job.”
Also, Rebecca Chandler posted a solid time of 10:37.18 in the 3K Steeplechase to continue the momentum she built after winning the the 200-meter Steeplechase with a time of 7:04.56 last weekend at the Black and Gold Invitational.
“It was a solid day all the way around,” said Keith. “Compared to this same time of the season last year, we are miles ahead of where we were.”
Vanderbilt will have a long list of athletes in action on Saturday at the meet in Auburn. The group of Commodores who competed in California on Friday are scheduled to return to Nashville on Saturday after a morning workout in Palo Alto.
