Feb. 2, 2013
NEW YORK — Brionne Williams won the championship division of the high jump to highlight Vanderbilt’s trip to the Armory Collegiate Invitational in Manhattan.
Williams cleared 1.81 meters (5’11.25″) on her second try to win the event. Neither Willams nor South Carolina’s Jeannelle Scheper could clear 1.84 meters, but Scheper took three tries to clear 1.81 meters, giving Williams the win.
Day two action also included Hannah Jumper in the championship division of the mile, two personal records in both the 800 meters and the mile and another personal best in the 3,000 meters.
“What a big win for Brionne against some tough competition,” Vanderbilt Head Coach Steve Keith said. “Apropos to New York City, she performed very well on the big stage.”
Keith was also pleased with the efforts on the track on day two.
“We had some nice improvements and PR’s with the distance kids in the morning and ran a good 4×400 with the sprinters,” Keith added. “Everyone is continuing to progress and move forward.”
The day started with four Commodores in the 3,000 meters college division. Grace Orders ran a personal record of 9:46.99 and finished fifth in the division. Amria Joseph was ninth in 9:54.26, followed by Allie Scalf in 12th and a time of 9:59.43.
Next up was a trio of black and gold runners in the collegiate division of the mile. Kristen Findley and Lily Williams both crossed the line in 4:52.97. It was an indoor personal record for Williams. Vanessa Valentine was 20th and set a personal record crossing the line of 5:02.21.
Sara Barron and Katherine Delaney both ran personal bests in the 800 meters. Baron finished third in the college field with a time of 2:11.97, while Delaney was 15th with a time of 2:15.85.
Vanderbilt’s group of young sprinters posted a 4×400 meter relay time of 3:49.01, finishing 11th in the college division. Faith Washington, Jennifer Cannon, Barron and Skyler Carpenter ran the event.
Vanderbilt fielded competitors in two championship events on day two – Jumper in the mile and Williams in the high jump.
Jumper finished 15th with a time of 4:54.48, leaving Williams with the highlight of the day.
Williams cleared 1.73 meters on her first try before making 1.78 and 1.81 on her second attempts, sealing the victory.
For Keith, Vanderbilt’s first trip to the Armory Collegiate Invitational, which included over 100 college programs, proved a success.
“All-in-all it was a great first experience at the Armory Collegiate Invitational,” Keith concluded. “We’ll definitely be back.”
Next up for the Commodore track and field team is the Samford Multi and Invitational, held in Birmingham, Ala., February 8-9. It will be Vanderbilt’s last meet before the SEC Indoor Track and Field Championships in Fayetteville, Ark., February 22-24.
