Feb. 9, 2013
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Vanderbilt track and field team competed for the third-straight week at the Samford Multi and Invitational on Saturday, February 9, as they continue getting closer to the SEC Indoor Championships.
“We saw some improvements, but we also saw a team that is a little sick and tired,” Vanderbilt Head Coach Steve Keith said. “It’s time for us to recharge for the SEC meet in a couple of weeks.”
Having competed the last two weekends while also dealing with a bout of the flu that has gone through the team, Keith placed runners in some different events than usual, while also giving others some new chances.
“We held a few people out, but we also gave opportunities to a few in order to improve their performances to the point where we will take them to the SEC meet,” Keith explained.
Among those held out was Birmingham native Brionne Williams, who entered the weekend with the ninth-best high jump time in the nation.
The morning opened with Allie Scalf finishing third in the 5,000 meters. Scalf crossed the line in 17:04.08.
The 60 meter hurdles saw Faith Washington run 8.89, one-hundreth of a second shy of qualifying for the finals. In the 60 meter dash, Washington ran a time of 8.06.
Three Commodores ran in the mile, led by Amira Joseph finishing 11th in 5:03.30. Katherine Delaney was not far behind, finishing 13th in 5:03.74. Grace Orders crossed the line 19th in 5:08.47.
One of the highlights of the day came in the 400 meter dash, where Washington finished fifth, clocking a time of 56.36 which is the fifth-best in VU history.
Seven Commodores ran in the 3,000 meters, with five of them finishing in placed five-nine. Jordan White paced the black and gold in 9:45.21, followed by Lily Williams in 9:45.75, Vanessa Valentine in 9:57.29, Rebecca Chandler in 9:59.00 and Hannah Jumper in 9:59.08. Clarie Benjamin was 11th (10:07.96) and Megan Yohe rounded out the Vanderbilt efforts in 17th (10:12.25).
Track action wrapped-up with Kristen Findley finishing fifth in the 800 meters, posting a time of 2:11.48.
On the field side, Alyson Hasty and Morgan Toone competed in the pole vault, both clearing 3.50 meters (11′ 5.75″). Hasty finished 17th, clearing on her first attempt, while Tooone was 21st clearing on her second.
Skyler Carpenter finished 23rd in the long jump, posting a mark of 5.23 meters (17′ 2″).
Janetra Gleaves finished fifth in the pentathlon on Friday, scoring 3,146 points. Gleaves was fourth in the 60 meter hurdles (8.95), seventh in the high jump (1.53 meters), third in the shot put (10.07 meters), seventh in the long jump (4.94 meters) and 13th in the 800 meters (2:47.07).
“All-in-all, three weeks in a row is a real test,” Keith explained. “It’s time to get healthy, get in some quality training and quality rest before we tackle the SEC.”
This was the final tune-up for the Commodores before the SEC Indoor Track & Field Championships, which will be held February 22-24 in Fayetteville, Ark.
