NASHVILLE — The Vanderbilt track and field team is obviously determined to make the alumni proud this weekend.
Fueled by impressive efforts from Claire Benjamin, Sarah Goodale and the distance medley relay team, the Commodores got off to a strong start on Friday night during the opening day of the two-day Vanderbilt Invitational.
The performance by the Commodores came in front of several Vanderbilt alumni who have returned to campus this weekend. Many additional alumni are scheduled to attend the meet on Saturday, and the group will be recognized at 12:55 p.m.
This weekend’s meet, which resumes on Saturday at 10:30 a.m., has brought roughly 700 athletes — representing 15 women’s teams and 14 men’s teams — to Vanderbilt’s indoor facility.
Goodale set the tone for the Commodores on Friday afternoon by earning a second-place finish in the pentathlon. She compiled a career-best 3,825 points — the third-highest mark on Vanderbilt’s all-time performance list — while setting new personal records in the the shot put (10.63m), 60-hurdles (8.97) and 800 (2:16.39).
Later on Friday, Vanderbilt’s distance medley team — comprised of Sarah Barron, Skyler Carpenter, Carmen Carlos and Vanessa Valentine — took first place with a time of 11:37.13, the eighth best mark on VU’s all-time performance list.
Benjamin then capped the day by capturing first place in the 5,000-meter run with a personal-best time of 16:53.34. The senior, who is coming off an outstanding cross-country season, set the fourth-best time on the Commodores’ all-time list.
Two of Benjamin’s teammates also earned spots among the top-12 in the 5,000-meter event. Rebecca Chandler took 10th with a time of 17:19.73 and Amira Joseph was 12th at 17:29.17.
Ellie Tidman was ninth in the high jump, clearing 1.61.
On the men’s side, Vanderbilt’s Nick French took 11th in the 5,000-meter run with a time of 15:10.79. Also running for the Commodores were Jake Geffen (19th at 15:30.16), Sam Reilly (20th at 15:33.84 and John Ewing (21st at 15:41.31).
