May 11, 2013
COLUMBIA, Mo. — The Vanderbilt track and field team stands in 11th place with 11 team points at the conclusion of day three of the 2013 SEC Outdoor Track & Field Championships. On Saturday, May 11, the Commodores scored points in the steeplechase and high jump, while sending two runners through to tomorrow’s 1,500 meter finals.
Brionne Williams scored in the high jump, while Rebecca Chandler capped the day with points in the steeplechase. Kristen Findley and Lily Williams will run in the 1,500 meter finals tomorrow.
1,500 meter preliminaries
The 1,500 meter prelims included three heats, with the top three runners in each heat advancing to the finals, along with the next three best times from the remaining competitors. Both Findley and Lily Williams had to wait on the edge of their seats after placing fourth and fifth in the second heat. Findley ran a time of 4:23.89, followed by Lily Williams with a personal best 4:24.18.
After the conclusion of the final heat, both times were good enough to be among the next three remaining runners, sending both into tomorrow’s final. The duo turned out to be in the fastest heat, as the first three finishers in that section posted the top three times of any heat. Findley’s time was the fourth-fastest on the day.
High Jump
The high jump saw Brionne Williams, who scored at this year’s indoor league meet and went on to earn second team All-America honors in the event during the indoor season, place seventh with a clearance of 1.80 meters (5′ 10.75″). The junior’s jump equalled the fourth-place finisher’s, but it took the Commodore three attempts to clear.
The jump is an outdoor collegiate best for Brionne Williams and based on marks entering the week, would be among the top 25 in the East Region.
Steeplechase
The steeplechase concluded the day three action in Missouri, with Rebecca Chandler adding two points to Vanderbilt’s team score by placing seventh. Chandler finished the 3,000 meters in 10:38.44, which is a collegiate best for the sophomore.
Amira Joseph placed 10th, crossing the line in 10:53.48.
Day Four Preview
Vanderbilt will have competitors in two events for the final day of competition. Action will begin with the 1,500 meter finals. Kristen Findley and Lily Williams will run in that race at 3:30 p.m.
Vanderbilt will have seven runners in the 5,000 meters, which will get underway at 6:00 p.m. Allie Scalf, Jordan White, Kristen Smith, Vanessa Valentine, Claire Benjamin, Grace Orders and Hannah Jumper are scheduled to run.
Both races can be seen during ESPN3.com’s coverage of the race, which is available here.
