KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Kristen Denk broke her own school record in pole vault at the Tennessee Relays on Saturday, clearing 14-3.25 (4.35 meters) to lead the Vanderbilt track and field team.
It was Denk’s first outdoor competition of the season and the mark ranks seventh in the NCAA for the 2019 outdoor season.
The Commodores also took home first in the 1,600-meter sprint medley after the unit of Taiya Shelby, Regan Clay, Jenn Edobi and Kendall Derry clocked a 4:01.35.
Margaret Ollinger joined Denk in the pole vault competition, covering her best mark of the outdoor season at 13-1.50 (4.00 meters).
The 4×800-meter relay unit of Grace Jensen, Ginger Hutton, Haley Walker and Reagan Bustamante rounded out the Commodores that competed in the event’s second day. The squad finished third, clocking an 8:44.55. The time is also good for third-best all-time at Vanderbilt.
“It was a good day for us,” said head coach Steven Keith. “It was nice to win the sprint medley and get some extra 200-400 work for our sprinters. We ran really well in the 4×800 relay. It was also a nice improvement for Margaret in the pole vault and excellent opener for Kristen. Our fitness is there so now it’s time to focus on more individual improvements as we split squads next week.”
Vanderbilt will be back in action on April 19-20 as it splits the squad between the Duke and Auburn Invitationals.
