COLLEGE STATION, Texas – On the final day of the SEC Indoor Championships, Vanderbilt shined under the bright lights of Gilliam Indoor Stadium.
“We had a really good meet, we came into this the underdogs and really proved that we’ve made strides as a program,” said Althea Thomas, director of cross country, track and field. “Last year, we only scored three points as a team and this year we scored 16. But beyond the points, we had numerous school records, personal bests, and top marks in school history … all of these things are very reflective of the way we are moving this program forward.”
The day began with Grace Jensen in the finals of the mile run. Jensen not only shed time off of her personal best but also reset the top time in school history of 4:37.56, taking fifth overall in the race.
After a successful prelims race yesterday in the 400 meters, Taiya Shelby was primed for the today’s finals. Shelby’s time of 52.44 placed her seventh on the day.
Competing in her first SEC competition, Divine Oladipo contended in the shot put against a relatively stacked conference field. Her mark of 17.63m was a silver finish in the event.
“With Divine as a silver medalist, Taiya and Grace qualifying as well as finishing like they did … I’m just really proud of how we finished and am excited for outdoors,” said Thomas.
Personal records were established for the trio of Commodores in the 3000 meter race. Jensen (9:32.62), McKenzie Yanek (9:37.42), and Haley Walker (9:44.98) contended in a deep pool of racers. Yanek’s finish placed her in the top-10 in school history as Jensen’s personal best moved her up to sixth in the event.
The day ended with the 4×400 meter relay of Jordan Smith, Kaira Brown, Madison Fuller, and Shelby. The quartet placed seventh overall, crossing the finish line at 3:37.44.
Vanderbilt will prepare for the two-day NCAA Championships in Birmingham, Alabama on March 11 – 12.
