NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Commodores have hosted back-to-back meets to commence the indoor season and continue their domination in record setting fashion.
“This was truly a great meet, our team is displaying consistency through rewriting the school records and top-10 marks in the program,” said head coach Althea Thomas. “Breaking just one school record is a huge deal but this is the second meet in a row where we have had multiple. Haley broke a school set by one of the most accomplished Vanderbilt Track alumni, Ryan Tolbert. She [Tolbert] is a former NCAA Champion and NCAA record holder, so for Haley to break her record, it is a huge statement.”
Day 2 started off with Josephine Dal in the 60 meters hurdles. Dal finished just outside the finals qualifying mark with an adjusted time of 8.83.
Madison Fuller’s time of 7.46, a personal best, in the 60 meters earned her a silver finish and the No. 2 spot all-time in school history. Fuller won her heat with a qualifying time of 7.56 in the prelims. Haley Bishop raced in the sixth and final heat of the 60 meters, qualifying for the finals with a time of 7.46 on the afternoon.
Grace Jensen cruised through the first heat of the mile finishing at 4:39.79, a personal record for the senior. Her time positions her fourth in the nation and reset the school record. She was followed closely by Carolina Eck [4:47.56] with a personal best as well as the seventh fastest mark all-time in school history, Niki Narayani [4:55.03], and Joslin Blair [4:55.36].
“Grace’s mile time is also a big deal for us, she had a 13 second personal best. By doing so, she set an incredible record and is nationally ranked.”
Taiya Shelby made her 2022 indoor debut, competing in the 800 meters. Shelby finished with a time of 2:07.83 making her fourth all-time in school history.
Bishop set a school standard of 23.53 in the 200 meters making her 10th in the nation in the event and fifth in the conference. Flanked by Fuller, who earned a bronze finish of 24.28 in the event. Kaira Brown [25.62] and Jordan Smith [25.902] also competed in event.
Brown also tabbed third place for her time of 55.45 in the 400 meters.
Laine Roberts reached 3.35m [10’11.75”] in the pole vault.
The duo of Jacqueline Pinon [10:11.69] and Jenna Holland [10:22.48] raced the 3000 meters, both finishing inside the top-20 on the day.
Divine Oladipo competed in her record breaking event, shot put, and tallied a mark of 17.29m [56’8.75”], for second-place.
“For Divine to throw a shot put mark that is also ranked in the top-5 nationally is truly a testament to her training and her extremely high ceiling.”
The Commodores wrapped up the Vanderbilt Invitational in true Vandy fashion, dominating the 4×400 meter relay. Shelby, Smith, Nicole Anderson, and Brown won the event and entered the top-10 in school history at 3:42.49. The quartet’s time is good for seventh in the Southeastern Conference and ranks inside the top-35 in the nation. Ella Escobar, Dal, Jessica Creedon, and Jensen also raced in the 4×400 finishing at 3:51.02 for fifth overall.
“This team has continued to show consistency and what being a Commodore is all about. This is how you Anchor Down and compete across all events. This was a great second home meet and we are looking forward to some away competitions to continue building on this foundation.”
