LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Vanderbilt track and field team posted new facility records, a top-10 performance and a handful of personal bests during the final day of the PNC Lenny Lyles Invitational hosted by the University of Louisville.
“This weekend allowed us to get out of our home element and compete in a neutral facility against various teams from the the Big 10, ACC and other reputable conferences,” Vandy head coach Althea Thomas said. “We saw some major engagement and resiliency with consistent marks and large personal bests.”
In the 800-meter race, graduate Taiya Shelby set a new Vanderbilt top-10 time, earned a first-place finish, set a new personal best, set the facility record and added her name among the top 10 in the NCAA this season. She finished the race in 2:05.79.
Sophomore Julia Rosenberg earned a new personal best in the mile with a time of 4:54.61, shaving off over two seconds from her previous best time.
Racing in the 3,000 meters, senior Caroline Eck ran 9:33.63, putting her fourth in the conference thus far this season.
The 4×400-meter relay team consisting of freshman Mya Georgiadis and seniors Shelby, Madison Fuller and Kaira Brown earned a new top-10 time running a 3:41.08. The time also set a new meet record.
In the field events, senior Veronica Fraley placed third in shot put throwing 16.4 meters. Fraley was one of four athletes to break the facility record and placed her name on the in the top 25 on this year’s NCAA descending order list.
On Friday, one school record was set in the weight throw by freshman Kosi Umerah while the Commodores earned a first-place finish in the distance medley relay.
Sophomore Zach Hodges also marked a personal best in the mile with his time of 4:21.17.
“(Umerah) showed major resiliency after two fouls, throwing a new personal and school record,” Thomas said. “Our DMR solidified the first day with a win and facility record. Saturday saw a lot of hard-fought competing with a personal best in the shot put for (Fraley).
“An impressive and statement-giving win by (Shelby) in the 800 with a mark that is top 10 in the NCAA—this was the meet we needed to give us the boost we need as we approach the second half of the season.”
The Commodores take a week off before hosting the Music City Challenge on Feb. 10-11.
