April 10, 2015
HURRICANE ALUMNI INVITATIONAL
The Vanderbilt track and field team did some impressive work last weekend — and now the Commodores are hoping for more of the same. They are headed to Miami, Fla., on Saturday to compete in the Hurricane Alumni Invitational while looking to continue their strong midseason push. Last weekend, Vanderbilt sent athletes to two meets on opposite ends of the map — the Stanford Invitational in California and the Tigers Track Classic in Auburn — and the Commodores delivered strong results at both places, with 15 personal records set or tied. In the process, a host of Commodores recorded times/distances that ranked among the best in school history. Here’s a closer look at this weekend’s meet:
Event: Hurricane Alumni Invitational
Day, Date: Saturday, April 11
Host: University of Miami
Site: Cobb Stadium
Heat Sheets: Available soon
Live Results: HEREÂ
Schedule: HERE
Â
SPECIAL WEEKEND FOR THE HOSTSÂ
The Commodores are visiting Miami on a special weekend for the host Hurricanes, who will be honoring their seniors during a ceremony on Saturday night. Vanderbilt held its own Senior Day recognition ceremony just two weeks ago during the Black and Gold Invitational, and the Commodores punctuated the occasion by delivering an outstanding performance during the meet. (Recap here.)
VU MEN IN ACTION
In addition to the VU women who will be in action in Miami this weekend, Vanderbilt is also sending five members of the men’s cross country team to Knoxville to participate in the 49th annual Tennessee Relays. The Commodores will compete in the 5k and 1500 as they continue their winter/spring racing regiment while preparing for the cross country season.
l For full schedule, click HERE. Â
l For heat sheet, click HERE. Â
l For link to results, click HERE. Â
QUOTING THE COACHÂ
Below are the comments of Vanderbilt head coach Steve Keith, who sat down with vucommodores.com this week.
On the goals for his team this weekend:
“We had some improvements last weekend, and think there might be some others who are ready to make improvements this weekend. So that is kind of what we are looking for.”
On the momentum gained from last weekend’s strong performances:
“It’s the progress you want to see at this time of the season. Hopefully, we will see even more of that this weekend. This is the time when you want to see everyone moving forward.”
On this important stretch of the season:
“The meet in Virginia (the Virginia Invitational on March 17-18) will be a really big weekend for us next weekend, with the full squad together. Then, athletics will take a back seat for a little while during final exams, and after that, we will look to turn things back up for May.”
LAST YEARÂ
The Commodores had a strong showing at last year’s Tennessee’s Relays. On the men’s side, the Commodores had four representatives in the 5000-meter run: John Ewing (14:57.39; ninth place), Jake Van Geffen (15:17.86; 18th), Nick French (15:18.68; 20th) and Andrew Fix (15:39.73; 29th). On the women’s side, Simone Charley captured third place in the triple jump at 41.10.75, which was a school record at the time (she has since broken that mark on multiple occasions). Skyler Carpenter set a new personal record and took third place in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 59.91, which was the fifth-best showing on Vanderbilt’s all-time performer’s list.