March 1, 2009
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Vanderbilt’s distance medley relay team of Rita Jorgensen, Teegan Hill, Jordan White and Louise Hannallah recorded the team’s second best performance of the season with a 11:40.50, finishing in fourth place at the final day of the SEC Indoor Track and Field Championships.
“Our expectations for this weekend were definitely different than what our results showed,” head track and field coach D’Andre Hill said. “When you have a young team you have to be mentally strong and focused when competing at a meet like the SEC Indoor Championships. Hopefully some of our young student-athletes that were competing in their first collegiate championship saw the weekend as a learning experience and continue to improve. We have to put this meet behind us and turn our attention and focus to the outdoor season.”
Vanderbilt’s DMR team started off strong with cross country standout Rita Jorgensen running the first 1200-meter leg, clocking a 3:30.80 split-time. Jorgensen kept pace with front of the pack before handing it off to Hill for the 400-meter leg. Hill put together a strong sub-56 400, keeping the ‘Dores in second place going into the third-exchange. White took the baton from Hill and followed up yesterday’s season-best performance in the 800-meter with a 2:12.30, putting the Commodores in the lead before handing it off to fellow freshman Louise Hannallah for the final 1600 meters. Hannallah closed out the relay posting a season-high 5:01.80 one-mile split.
“I thought our distance med put together a very good effort in an exciting race,” distance coach Steve Keith said. “Louise held her composure well and ran a faster time than she did at the Iowa State meet. She was in a tough spot for a freshman and responded well to it. This is a young team (three freshman, one sophomore) and they should be proud of their efforts.
Junior Mallory Hitt posted a 15th place finish in the high jump Sunday, clearing the 5-03.25 bar. Hitt’s mark of 5-03.25 ties for the second highest jump of the season for the junior from Baton Rouge, La.
The SEC Indoors marks the final indoor meet of the season for the Commodores as they now turn their attention and focus to the outdoor season. The ‘Dores first outdoor meet will be Mar. 21 as it travels to Clarksville, Tenn., for the Austin Peay Spring Fling.
Vanderbilt Results
High Jump – 1. Raevan Harris (Auburn), 6-00.75, 15. Mallory Hitt (VU), 5-03.25
Distance Medley Relay – 1. Tennessee (Bell, Wortham, Fondren, Bowman), 11:23.43, 4. Vanderbilt (Jorgensen, Hill, White, Hannallah), 11:40.50
Final Team Standings Women
1. Tennessee 111
2. LSU 105
3. Arkansas 97
4. Florida 84
5. South Carolina 57
6. Auburn 54
7. Kentucky 49.50
8. Mississippi 32
9. Mississippi State 28
10. Alabama 26.50
11.Georgia 14
12. Vanderbilt 5
