Track and Field Concludes Competition at SoCons

Courtesy: Southern Conference

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Seeking continued improvement to finalize competition at the Southern Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships, the VMI track and field teams accomplished the goal Sunday at Samford Track and Soccer Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama.

The VMI men placed seventh overall with 65 points while the VMI women also came in seventh in a tie with The Citadel at 31 points apiece.

Western Carolina claimed their ninth men’s team title and fourth straight while the Samford women claimed their third title overall and second in the last three seasons. Western Carolina’s men overtook runner-up Samford for the team lead midway through the afternoon, while the Bulldog women built a big lead on Saturday and never trailed Sunday in running away with the team title.

After placing first in the men’s 800-meter run a year ago, VMI’s Jahanzib Shahbaz came in third place in this year’s event in 1:52.92 to give the VMI men six team points. He also qualified for the finals in the 1500-meter run and again placed third in 3:50.07 for another six points for the Keydets.

James Granderson placed sixth in the 110-meter hurdles final in 14.94 seconds. In the men’s 200-meter dash, freshman Jordin Poindexter came in fourth place in 21.80 seconds.

In the men’s field events, Gavin Jenkins performed well by coming in seventh place at a height of 1.93 meters. Daniel Usher finished eighth in the discus with a best throw of 42.39 meters in the finals. Blaine Ashton had a great showing in the triple jump by placing third in the finals with a best distance of 14.55 meters for six points.

Freshman Max Burke competed well in the decathlon as he finished in fourth overall with 5,022 points for five team points.

On the women’s side, Ariana Ruffin had a great showing in the 400-meter dash by placing fifth in Sunday’s final in 57.54 seconds. She also earned team points in the 200-meter by arriving in eighth in 25.04 seconds.

Sarah Leckman shined in the women’s shot put as she finished second in the field at 14.24 meters for eight team points.

The Keydets return to action Wednesday at the Liberty Last Chance Meet to try to earn additional qualifiers for the IC4A/ECAC Championships slated for May 11-12.

Men’s results – Final

1. Western Carolina – 186 points

2. Samford – 169

3. ETSU – 136

4. Wofford – 91

5. Furman – 88

6. The Citadel – 74

7. VMI – 65

8. UNC Greensboro – 5

Women’s results – Final

1. Samford – 228 points

2. Wofford – 126

3. Western Carolina – 119

4. ETSU – 100

5. Furman – 91

6. Mercer – 70

T7. VMI – 31

T7. The Citadel – 31

9. Chattanooga – 15

10. UNC Greensboro – 8

Men’s Most Outstanding Athlete

Ben Johnson, ETSU

Women’s Most Outstanding Athlete

Maggie Johnston, Samford

Men’s Pinnacle Award (highest GPA on championship-winning team)

Miles Greer, Western Carolina

Women’s Pinnacle Award (highest GPA on championship-winning team)

Amanda Dumar, Samford

Day 2 champions

Men: Decathlon Conrad Heinrich, Wofford (6,574 points); shot put Dakota Wright, Western Carolina (16.79 meters); triple jump Dijoun Huitt, Western Carolina (15.42 meters); 4x100-meter relay Timiebi Ogobri, Josiah Johnson, Keefe White, Alex Revel, The Citadel (40.71); 1,500-meter run Ryan Adams, Furman (3:48.15); 110-meter hurdles Emmanuel Tait, Samford (14.15); 400-meter dash Devaniel Dale, Western Carolina (46.55); 100-meter dash Josiah Johnson, The Citadel (10.50); 800-meter run Ryan Adams, Furman (1:50.50); discus Ben Johnson, ETSU (54.53 meters)*; 400-meter hurdles Michael McMahan, Samford (52.47); 200-meter dash Devaniel Dale, Western Carolina (20.86); high jump Dakota Oxendine, Western Carolina (2.12 meters); 5,000-meter run Frank Lara, Furman (14:40.63); 4x400-meter relay Jordan Woodbine, Jordan Oballe, Michael McMahan, Warren Fitzpatrick, Samford (3:15.16).

Women: Heptathlon Amber Lust, Wofford (5,005 points); high jump Charlotte Krause, Samford (1.69 meters); discus Maggie Johnston, Samford (51.40 meters)*; 4x100-meter relay Cherrish Wright, Lauryn Dancy, Kennedi Weston Shields, Tessola Duncan, Mercer (45.71); 1,500-meter run Karisa Nelson, Samford (4:18.52)*; 100-meter hurdles Amber Lust, Wofford (13.68); 400-meter dash Kellsie Whitehead, Western Carolina (55.23); 100-meter dash McLeod Dean, Wofford (11.57); 800-meter run Krissy Gear, Furman (2:09.80); 400-meter hurdles Sarah Sanford, Samford (1:01.91); shot put Maggie Johnston, Samford (14.35 meters); 200-meter dash McLeod Dean, Wofford (23.56); triple jump Makaila McIntyre, Western Carolina (12.22 meters); 5,000-meter run Gabbi Jennings, Furman (16:36.05); 4x400-meter relay Tessola Duncan, Kennedi Weston-Shields, Marion Meadows, Madison Mueller, Mercer (3:47.27).