April 20, 2012
2012 Vanderbilt Invitational Day One Results 
Keith Interview | Findley Interview | Rogers 5000 meters Win
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Day one of the Vanderbilt Invitational is in the books, with a big day for Vanderbilt’s distance runners.
The Commodores did not have competitors in several of the events, with the expected top finishes coming in the 1500 and 5000 meters.
That would prove to be the case, as the highlight of the day came from Vanderbilt’s Kristen Findley. She posted a 1500 meters time of 4:17.45 that is not only her personal best, but also a school record. She moved from 69th in the nation to fifth with the time.
Findley was the top finisher in the event that was running for a school. Sonja Friend-Uhl, running unattached, posted a time of 4:16.99 to win. Findley was second, followed by Stephanie Garcia (unattached) and Vanderbilt’s Jordan White finished fourth with a time of 4:25.50. White’s time was just off her best collegiate mark of 4:25.37.
Also in the 1500, sophomore Kara Slavoski set a new personal record with a 4:34.12 which was good for eighth place. Freshman Hannah Jumper placed ninth with a time of 4:37.34 that was also her career best.
Four of the six Vanderbilt runners in the 1500 meters finished in the top-10 (35 entrants).
The meet then concluded with a Commodore victory in the 5000 meters, as Vanderbilt’s Alexa Rogers was able to pull away from Hillsdale’s Amanda Putt on the final lap and take the victory with a mark of 16:26.46. Rogers’ mark was over a minute better than her previous career-best time of 17:29.11.
Commodores also finished third and fourth in the 5000 meters. Allie Scalf placed third with a time of 16:39.77, while Grace Orders was fourth with a mark of 16:58.20.
Vanderbilt’s lone participant in the 200 meter dash, which was the day’s only sprinting event, was Nia Washington. Her time of 28.63 was a personal best, edging her previous mark by .14 seconds.
Also not to be forgotten was Rebecca Chandler, who set a personal best in the 3000 meter steeplechase with a mark of 11:38.95.
On the men’s side, the moment of the day came in the 5000 meters when senior Kyle Rewick clocked a time of 14:49.34 to finish third.
The Vanderbilt Invitational concludes on Saturday, April 20, at the Vanderbilt Track. Action begins at 10:00 a.m.
