March 28, 2015
BLACK AND GOLD INVITATIONAL
Complete Final Results: HERE
More coverage to come: In addition to the recap and video interviews below, vucommodores.com will have more follow-up coverage, including a photo gallery and video highlights.
NASHVILLE — The members of the Vanderbilt track and field team found a fitting way to send off their seniors.
Competing in their only home meet of the outdoor season amid raw weather conditions, the Commodores produced a full weekend’s worth of memorable moments while hosting the Black and Gold Invitational that wrapped up on Saturday.
First-place finishes by Sara Barron, Rebecca Chandler and Skyler Carpenter were among the many highlights on the final day of the meet, which included a special Senior Day recognition ceremony early in the day.
Chandler, a senior, celebrated her final home appearance by winning the 200-meter Steeplechase with a time of 7:04.56 on Saturday.
Barron, a junior, captured first place in the 3,000-meter run with a personal-best time of 9:34.68, which ranks as the No. 2 mark on Vanderbilt’s all-time performance list. Her first-place run came less than 24 hours after she had taken second place in the 1,500 with a time of 4:28.05 on Friday.
Carpenter, also a junior, delivered a dominating performance in Saturday’s 400-meter hurdles, posting a first-place time of 59.21. Her time was more than three seconds better than second-place finisher Natalie Olberding of Austin Peay (1:02.24).
The Commodores also had a big performance in the 4×100 relay, where the foursome of Janetra Gleaves, Faith Washington, Emma Radan and Erin Edmond posted a third-place time of 46.95, which ranks as the fifth-best mark on VU’s all-time list.
Barron’s effort during Saturday’s 3,000-meter run spearheaded a solid showing by the Commodores in the event, as Vanderbilt placed five individuals in the Top-15, including three who finished among the top six. In addition to Barron, Claire Benjamin was fifth at 9:46.46 and Vanessa Valentine was sixth at 9:48.09. Megan Huebner was 13th at 10:06.60 and Courtney Kriegshauser was 15th at 10:12.98.
In the 800, Katherine Delaney was the first Commodore across the line, finishing sixth at 2:12.65, and she was followed directly by teammate Reagan Anderson in seventh at 2:12.83. Lily Williams was 12th at 2:15.62 and Chandler was 33rd at 2:22.05.
Saturday’s action also featured Megan McCabe taking third in the pole vault at 11-7.75, Ellie Tidman taking second in the high jump by clearing 5-7.25, Sarah Goodale finishing fifth in the long jump at 17-11, Janetra Gleaves taking sixth in the 100-meter hurdles at 14.35 and Tierney Price posting a time of 12.94 in the 100.
During the opening day of the meet on Friday, Edmond set the tone for the Commodores by taking second place in the 200 with a personal-best time of 24.74. Edmond, who won her heat, recorded the No. 8 mark on VU’s all-time performer’s list. Emma Redan also won her heat in the 200, and finished 11th overall with a time of 25.54.
Also on Friday, Barron was the leader of a strong Commodore contingent in the 1500, as Vanderbilt claimed nine of the Top-25 spots, including three of the Top-10. Delaney was sixth at 4:32.21, Anderson was seventh at 4:32.57, Valentine was eighth at 4:34.53, Kriegshauser was 14th at 4:42.60, Williams was 15th at 4:44.08, Benjamin was 17th at 4:44.84, Maddie Criscione was 23rd at 4:48.61 and Huebner was 24th at 4:49.04.
VANDERBILT MEN
The Commodores were also well represented on the men’s side throughout the weekend. Sam Reilly took 15th in the 3,000-meter run with a time 9:08.47, and was followed by teammates Andrew Fix in 20th at 9:21.07 and Daniel Arthur in 21st ar 9:22.94.
Nikolas Gkotsis finished ninth in the 1500 at 4:05.12, and was 16th In the 800 at 1:58.85. Andrew Fix was 26th in the 1500 at 4:15.68.
On Friday, Vanderbilt placed three runners among the top-five in the men’s 5000-meter run. Jake Van Geffen set a PR and took third place with a time of 15:09.83, John Ewing was fourth at 15:12.02 and Nick French was fifth at 15:13.33.
STEVE KEITH: YouTube
ERIN EDMOND: YouTube
SARA BARRON: YouTube