April 17, 2009
AUBURN, Ala. – Mallory Hitt won her first Heptathlon title of her career and Rita Jorgensen and Jordan White set personal records in the 1500 meter run, highlighting the Commodores opening day of the War Eagle Invitational at the Hutsell-Rosen Track Friday.
Mallory Hitt got the ‘Dores steaming full throttle Friday by posting a remarkable comeback victory in the two-day heptathlon. Entering Friday’s final events, the Vanderbilt junior was in second place, trailing Auburn’s Chelsey Thomas by 383 points heading into the final events on Friday.
The Baton Rouge, La., native came out of the gates firing on all cylinders as she recorded personal best in the final two events of the heptathlon, the javelin throw and 800-meter run. Hitt cut into Thomas’ lead in the javelin throw with a career-best toss of 105-06, nearly two-meters better than her previous high. The former Louisiana prep state champion gained over 200 points in the javelin to put her within striking distance of first-place heading into the 800-meter run. Hitt carried her momentum into the 800 as she turned in personal record time of 2:29.10, giving her first-place honors.
Hitt’s first-place finish in the heptathlon was the first of her collegiate career. The Vanderbilt junior’s final total of 4,540 points was the second highest point total in the junior’s career and only 20 points off her previous career high.
“I am real proud of the way Mallory competed in the heptathlon today,” assistant coach Clark Humphreys said. “It was very encouraging to see her pr in her last two events to capture first place after trailing by 383 points after the first day. “She continues to train and work hard but there is still room for improvement.”
Later in the day, Vanderbilt’s Jorgensen and Jordan White clocked personal record marks of their own in the 1500, highlighted by Jorgensen’s runner-up regional standard mark of 4:24.32. Jorgensen’s record shattering time was over three seconds faster than the NCAA regional mark of 4:27.80. The former White Station prep standout’s time of 4:24.32 ranks third in the school’s all-time record books and is the fastest time recorded by a VU runner since Stacey Carpenter clocked a 4:22.56 in 1999. Jorgensen’s 1500 time Friday is the fifth fastest time recorded in the Southeastern Conference this season and was over six seconds faster than her previous season high.
“Overall it was a very good day for the Vanderbilt track and field program,” distance coach Steve Keith said following the 1500-meter run. “I am very pleased with the way Rita and Jordan ran tonight. They ran composed races tonight and paced themselves accordingly.”
VU’s White dropped nearly four seconds off her previous personal record by turning in her second top-8 finish in six days with a season-high time of 4:32.71. White’s 4:32.71 ranks inside the school’s top-15 all-time 1500-meter performances.
“Jordan ran a composed race as the race went out harder than she wanted but she was also able to drop down to a faster rhythm for her last 300 for a big PR,” said Keith.
The Commodores will return to the track tomorrow morning for the second day of the War Eagle Invite. Live results of the War Eagle Invite can be found on auburntigers.com or by clicking here.
Vanderbilt Results – Friday, April 17, 2009
1500 Meter Run – 2. Rita Jorgensen, 4:24.32*, 7. Jordan White, 4:32.71
Heptathlon Total – 1. Mallory Hitt, 4540 pts., 2. Chelsey Thomas, Auburn, 4516 pts., 3. Christina Chambers, UAB, 4035 pts.
Heptathlon #1 / 100 Meter Hurdles – 2. Mallory Hitt, 15.72
Heptathlon #2 / High Jump – 1. Mallory Hitt, 5-03.25
Heptathlon #3 / Shot Put – 2. Mallory Hitt, 29-09.50
Heptathlon #4 / 200 Meter Dash – 4. Mallory Hitt, 26.82
Heptathlon #5 / Long Jump – 1. Mallory Hitt, 17-02.25
Heptathlon #6 / Javelin Throw – 2. Mallory Hitt, 105-06
Heptathlon #7 / 800 Meter Run – 2. Mallory Hitt, 2:29.10
* – denotes NCAA Regional Qualifying mark
