Day 1 Results | Meet Schedule | Live Results | Day 2 Start List
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Track and field season got underway Friday as the Commodores hosted the first day of the Vanderbilt Invitational inside the Vanderbilt Multipurpose Fieldhouse.
In her first collegiate action, freshman Jada Sims moved into the school record book. She cleared 1.65 meters (5 feet, 5 inches) which ranks 10th all-time in school history. It is the best jump for a Commodore since Ashlyn Hare reached 1.71 meters (5-07.25 ft.) in 2016.
Sims and Madison Murray were the first Commodores to compete this season and finished ninth and 18th, respectively, in the high jump. Murray cleared 1.55 meters (5-01 ft.).
“Before the meet, we had two tremendous practices where they both looked good, and today was even better,” Vanderbilt associate head coach and jumps coach Clark Humphreys said. “It was great for their confidence and we can use this momentum going forward.”
First Commodores ⚓️ to compete this season were both freshmen 👶. #AnchorDown pic.twitter.com/AxJ1ofetJk
— Vanderbilt XC • Track & Field (@vandyxctrack) January 18, 2020
On the Frist Family Track, sophomore Jordan Smith opened the season with a personal best. She won her heat in the 200 meters with a career-best finish of 25.10 to place 14th among the 57 sprinters. Classmate Taiya Shelby was not far behind as she also won her heat and finished 17th overall (25.38), while freshman Kaira Brown began her career with a victory in her heat (25.70) to place 27th.
In the 5,000 meters, three Commodores finished side-by-side in fifth, sixth and seventh. Junior Gillian Mortimer was the top Dore with a finish of 17:19.76, followed by senior Caroline Pietrzyk (17:24.81) and Mailin Struck (17:38.97).
Also in her first collegiate meet, freshman Josephine Dal finished 16th in the long jump with a mark of 5.31 meters (17-05.25).
On the men’s side, sophomore Matthew Estopinal fell just short in a race to the tape and finished second in 14:50.92, while classmate Lucas Mowery was 10th with a time of 15:52.31.
Action resumes at 10 a.m. Saturday with the unseeded 3,000 meters and concludes with the 4×400 relays which begin at 5 p.m. Next weekend, the Commodores will be at the Clemson Invitational.
