Jan. 18, 2018
Event: 5th annual Vanderbilt Invitational
Dates: Jan. 19-20
Venue: Vanderbilt Multipurpose Facility
Schedule of Events // Event Start Lists // Results // Meet Info & Records
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Twenty Commodore track and field athletes will return to action this Friday and Saturday when the highly competitive Vanderbilt Invitational takes place on campus.
The Commodore contingent will join more than 750 athletes from 22 schools and an impressive list of unattached participants at the invitational, which starts Friday afternoon in the Vanderbilt Multipurpose Facility.
Vanderbilt head coach Steve Keith is eager to see his team return to in competition after getting the 2018 indoor season started last weekend at the Commodore Invitational.
“Our squad got a taste of competition last week and I expect them to move forward off those performances. I’m excited to see them compete this weekend,” Keith said.
The Vanderbilt Invitational features an impressive list of participating teams and individual competitors. Teams from Alabama, Auburn, Belmont, Connecticut, Furman, Georgia Tech, Kennesaw State, Maryland, Memphis, Middle Tennessee, Mississippi State, Missouri, Oklahoma, SMU, Southeast Missouri, Southern Illinois, Southern Mississippi, Tulane, UAB and Western Kentucky will join Keith’s squad at the invitational.
“The overall talent at this meet is very impressive. It will be great showcase for local track and field enthusiasts,” Keith said. “I’m impressed with the depth of talent competing, in virtually every event.”
The meet opens Friday afternoon, with field events starting at 4 p.m. CT, and running events at 7 p.m. Most of the action is scheduled for Saturday, with action starting at 10 a.m.
Admission to the invitational is $5 per person. Vanderbilt students receive free entry with a valid ID. On Friday, the best available public parking is in 25th Avenue Garage using the Highland Avenue entrance. On Saturday, free parking is available in surface lots off Natchez Trace directly across from the Vanderbilt Outdoor Track & Field Complex.
Commodores participating at the Invitational
The full list of Vanderbilt competitors follows:
Field events
– Long jump (Friday) – Sophia Falco
– Pole vault (Saturday) – Sarah Bell, Caleigh Lofstead, Kristen Denk, Margaret Ollinger
– Triple jump (Saturday) — Sophia Falco
Running events
– 200 meters (Friday) – Regan Clay, Sophia Falco
– Distance medley relay (Friday) – Reagan Anderson, Becca Schulte, Reagan Bustamante, Kendall Derry
– 5,000 meters (Friday) – Mailin Struck
– 400 meters (Saturday) – Jenn Edobi, Regan Clay
– 800 meters (Saturday) – Becca Schulte, Kendall Derry, Reagan Bustamante, Ginger Hutton
– Mile run (Saturday) – Courtney Clayton, Reagan Anderson, Gillian Mortimer, Anna Grace Morgan, Sara Tsai
– 3,000 meters (Saturday) – Megan Huebner, Kacie Breeding, Devon Grisbaum
– 4×400-meter relay (Saturday) – Regan Clay, Jenn Edobi, Becca Schulte, Courtney Clayton
Former Olympians, American record holder among top individuals in field
The Vanderbilt Invitational is expected to feature several top national indoor performers, a current American record holder and will include a couple of former Olympians. Here are a few of the featured competitions this weekend:
Women’s Events
60 meters – Former Trinidad & Tobago Olympian Kelly-Ann Baptiste (7.13) will be challenged by Jura Levy (7.20), Kai Selvon (7.20) and Oklahoma’s Leya Buchanan (7.29) among others.
200 meters – MTSU’s Janet Amponsah (22.90) and Kai Selvon (22.96) tops entries.
400 meters — Four sub-53.00 sprinters are entered, paced by MTSU’s Abike Egbeniyi (52.49).
3,000 meters – The deep field features Canadian Olympian Erin Teschuk and six-time NCAA All-America Rachel Johnson.
High jump – Mississippi State’s Logan Boss (6’2.75″) has the highest personal best entering the meet.
Long jump – Former Alabama standout Quanesha Burks (22.3.75″) will try to break her facility record.
Weight throw – This is likely the deepest event, featuring American indoor record holder Gwen Berry (78’10.5″); Jeneva Stevens (77’5.75″); Jessica Ramsey (77’1″) and Ole Miss’ Janeah Stewart (76’0.75″).
Men’s Events
60 meters – Deep sprint field includes Alabama’s Keitavious Walter (6.59), Auburn’s Raheem Chambers (6.62) and Nike entrant Blake Smith (6.62).
400 meters – Four entrants have posted sub-46.0 indoor personal bests, including Tulane’s Raymond Kibet (45.21) and Auburn’s Nathon Allen (45.92).
Mile run – Four sub-4:01 milers are in the field, including Craig Nowak and Sampson Laari, who have both produced indoor personal bests under 3:59.
5,000 – A deep field features Furman’s Troy Reeder (13:59.13).
Long jump – Ja’Mari Ward of Missouri (26’8.25″) heads the list of horizontal jumper.
