Vanderbilt hosts Commodore Invitational; nearly 500 athletes entered

Jan. 10, 2018

Event: 4th Annual Commodore Invitational
Dates: Jan. 12-13
Venue: Vanderbilt Multipurpose Facility

Schedule of Events // Start List // Results // Meet Info & Records

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Vanderbilt track and field squad returns to action this Friday and Saturday by hosting the fourth annual Commodore Invitational at the Vanderbilt Multipurpose Facility.

Thirteen schools will join the Commodores for the two-day meet, which begins Friday and continues through Saturday. Besides Vanderbilt, the field features Auburn, Austin Peay, Belmont, Charleston Southern, Florida, Georgia Tech, Lipscomb, Middle Tennessee, Murray State, South Alabama, Tennessee Tech, Trevecca and UTEP.

The 2018 Commodore Invitational will have a tough time living up to the standards set a year ago when seven SEC teams participated as a tune-up for the conference championships that were staged weeks later at Vanderbilt’s facility. Nineteen event records were eclipsed in 2017, including a dozen in women’s competitions.

The Vanderbilt contingent will feature pole vaulter Sarah Bell, middle distance specialist Courtney Clayton and sprinter Jenn Edobi. In total, 20 members of the Commodore squad are expected to participate this weekend. Bell, a senior from Bloomington, Ill., holds the team’s indoor and outdoor records in the pole vault. A year ago, she set the indoor standard at 13-11.25 at the SEC Championships. Last summer, she earned All-America honors after finishing at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. Clayton, a senior from Roscoe, Ill., also holds multiple team marks, including a 2:04.24 indoor clocking in the 800-meter run. Like Bell, Clayton capped the year as an All-American after running a school-record 2:04.02 in the 800 at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. Edobi, a senior from Union, N.J., is the second fastest Vanderbilt runner ever at 400 meters and captured the event at 2017 Commodore Invitational with a 53.99 effort.

Vanderbilt head coach Steve Keith is excited to see his Commodores back for the first time indoors since early December.

“We’re looking forward to seeing the team back in competition,” Keith said. “The meet is a great chance for the staff to evaluate our squad as we start the indoor season. I’m looking forward to seeing how we compete.

“This meet and the Vanderbilt Invitational (Jan. 19-20) also serve as great opportunities for local fans to see high-caliber collegiate track and field athletes in action, participating at one of the finest indoor facilities in the Southeast,” Keith added.

Starting Friday at 4 p.m., the Commodore Invitational opens with several field events, including the men’s and women’s high jump, long jump and weight throw. Running events including the men’s and women’s 200-meter dash, distance medley and 5,000-meter run start at 7 p.m.

On Saturday, seven hours of competition starts at 10 a.m. Running events include the 60 meters, 400 meters, 800 meters, mile run, 3,000 meters, 60-meter hurdles and 4×400-meter relay. Field events include the men’s and women’s shot put and triple jump, and women’s pole vault.

The following Commodores are likely to compete this weekend:
– 60 meters – Sophia Falco, Regan Clay, Erin Hardnett
– 200 meters – Sophia Falco, Regan Clay, Erin Hardnett
– 800 meters – Becca Schulte, Jenn Edobi
– Mile – Reagan Bustamante, Courtney Clayton, Kendall Derry, Ginger Hutton, Mailin Struck, Kacie Breeding, Reagan Anderson, Devon Grisbaum
– 3,000 meters – Anna Grace Morgan, Gillian Mortimer
– 5,000 meters – Megan Huebner
– 4×400-meter relay – Jenn Edobi, Becca Schulte, Courtney Clayton, Reagan Bustamante
– Long jump – Sophia Falco
– Pole Vault – Sarah Bell, Caleigh Lofstead, Margaret Ollinger, Kristen Denk

Admission to the Commodore Invitational is $5. The event is free for Vanderbilt students who have a valid student ID.