Jan. 23, 2016
Event: Conference Clash: Power Five Invitational
Day, Date: Jan. 22-23
Host: Auburn and Tennessee
Site: Birmingham Crossplex (Birmingham, Ala.)
Results: Clash Final Results 
The Vanderbilt track team didn’t have an easy time getting to Birmingham this weekend, but it turned out to be worth the extra effort.
The Commodores, who had to alter their travel plans because of snow in Nashville, wrapped up an impressive two-day performance Saturday at the Conference Clash. Seniors Katherine Delaney and Vanessa Valentine both delivered strong efforts to spearhead Vanderbilt’s showing.
Vanderbilt was one of eight teams representing the SEC while competing against seven teams from the other Power-5 conferences. Vanderbilt scored eight points for the SEC representatives, who finished one point behind the “Power-4” teams. The Clash was held at the venue that will host this year’s NCAA Indoor Championships.
“All in all, it was a solid meet for us,” said head coach Steve Keith. “It was a memorable weekend for us in several ways. The ladies did a really nice job and there were a lot of good highlights.”
One of the biggest belonged to Delaney, who ran to a victory in the mile with a time of 4:49.35 to lead a strong contingent of Commodores in the event. Sarah Barron took fourth with a time of 4:51.47 and Maddie Criscione set a new PR at 4:57.87 to take 12th.
“Katherine ran a very patient race, and then finished really strong,” said Keith. “It really was a super performance for her.”
Valentine also made a big impact for the Commodores by taking third place in the 3000-meter run with a time of 9:31.25. Her effort ranks as the No. 2 mark on the Commodores’ all-time performer’s list and was a six-second improvement from her pervious personal best in the event.
Valentine’s effort continued her strong work this month. Last weekend, she took first place and posted a new personal record in the mile with a time of 4:49.98, which ranks ninth on Vanderbilt’s all-time list.
“She has really matured, and she is very confident in her fitness,” said Keith. “We can’t wait to see what’s ahead for her.”
Valentine was one of four Commodores who finished among the top-20 during Saturday’s 3000. Carmen Carlos finished eighth at 9:41.13, Courtney Kriegshauser was 13th with a new personal record of 9:49.43 and Megan Huebner was 19th with a new PR of 9:53.76.
Lily Williams was 21st at 10:01.64 and Devon Grisbaum was 32nd at 10:33.71.
Vanderbilt’s Jennifer Edobi took 13th in the 400 with a time of 55.25, and freshman Ashlyn Hare was 13th in the high jump at 5-04.25 (1.63m).
Also, in the 400, Lydia Witty had a time of 58.52 and Erin Hardnett finished at 59.68. In the 800, Ginger Hutton posted a time of 2:15.56 and Reagan Anderson was at 2:15.83.
On Friday night, Vanderbilt All-American triple jumper Simone Charley earned two points for the Commodores by finishing third with a leap of 42-01.50 (12.84m) in her season debut.
“It was great to see Simone back on the runway, even though she’s only had about 10 days of practice,” said Keith. “This was a great step for her to get back in the competitive environment for the first time this season, and now she just needs to trust the process and see what unfolds from here.”
Also on Friday, Vanderbilt’s Sarah Bell finished fourth in the pole vault at 13-03.75 (4.06m) and Megan McCabe was seventh at 12-04 (3.76).
Vanderbilt returns home next weekend, hosting the Vanderbilt Invitational.
SATURDAY’S RESULTS (Vanderbilt)
MILE RUN
1 – Katherine Delaney – 4:49.35 5
4 – Sara Barron – 4:51.47
12 – Maddie Criscione – 4:57.87
400 Meter Dash
13 – Jennifer Edobi – 55.25
43 – Lydia Witty – 58.52
46 – Erin Hardnett – 59.68
800 Meter Run
22 – Ginger Hutton – 2:15.56
26 – Reagan Anderson – 2:15.83
3000 Meter Run
3 Vanessa Valentine – 9:31.25
8 Carmen Carlos – 9:41.13
13 Courtney Kriegshauser – 9:49.43
19 Megan Huebner – 9:53.76
21 Lily Williams – 10:01.64
32 Devon Grisbaum – 10:33.71
High Jump
13 – Ashlyn Hare – 5-04.25 (1.63m)
FRIDAY’S RESULTS (Vanderbilt)
Triple Jump
3 – Simone Charley – 42-01.50 (12.84m)
Pole Vault
4 – Sarah Bell – 13-03.75 (4.06m)
7 – Megan McCabe – 12-04.00 (3.76m)
