April 7, 2007

BLACKSBURG, Va. - The Virginia Tech outdoor track and field team wrapped up its tri-meet weekend action on Saturday by competing in a handful of events. The sprinters and throwers were at the Texas Relays, the distance crew was at the Duke Invitational, and the pole vaulters were at the Clemson Invitational.

Texas Relays

Men's shot putter Justin Clickett highlighted the Hokies' day in Austin by tossing a regional qualifying mark of 17.92m (58'9.5") to place second in the 'A' section. Tech has now met the regional standards on 30 occasions on the young outdoor season.

In the women's section 'A' shot put, Ciera Ayangbile and Brittany Pryor finished third and fourth, respectively. Ayangbile turned in a mark of 15.45m (50'8.25"), while Pryor threw a distance of 15.01m (49'3").

Kristi Castlin placed second in the finals of the women's 100m hurdles, finishing in 13.46 seconds, while Queen Harrison followed in fifth with a time of 13.63 seconds. Harrison then led the way for Tech in the 400m hurdle finals, taking seventh in 59.22 seconds, just ahead of the eighth-place Sherlenia Green in 59.33 seconds.

The 4x400m relay final was not run due to rain.

Duke Invitational

The distance runners finished their weekend by competing in the 800m at Duke. In the men's race, Billy Berlin captured first place by breaking the tape in 1:52.80. Brian Markley finished 11^th in 1:54.67, and James Scheiner took 14^th in 1:55.09.

Tech also had five runners in the men's developmental section of the 800m, with Kyle Guglielmo leading the way in 11^th in 1:58.58. Phillip Padilla (22^nd - 1:59.99), Chris Padilla (37^th - 2:01.67), Kevin Kadak (44^th - 2:02.47) and Bryan McVey (74^th - 2:05.55) rounded out the Hokie finishers.

Samantha Ference and Fiona Gentles ran in the women's event, with Ference placing 14^th in 2:14.94, and Gentles turning in a time of 2:22.77.

Clemson Invitational

Finally, the pole vaulters took part in the Clemson Invitational. Ashley Early and Erin Mahony placed first and second after each scaled a height of 3.80m (12'5.5"), with Early taking first based on fewer misses. Abbey McGrath and Caitlin Thornley tied for seventh with a mark of 3.35m (10'11.75"), and Diana Sciambi tied for ninth after clearing 3.20m (10'6").

Thorsten Mueller led the men with a second-place vault of 5.05m (16'6.75"). Joe Samaniuk followed in third with a leap of 4.90m (16'00.75"), Adam Bingaman took fifth with a mark of 4.75m (15'7") and Jared Jodon rounded out the Tech competitors with a vault of 4.45m (14'7.25").

The Hokies return to action next weekend by splitting up for the Lou Onesty Invitational in Charlottesville and the Sea Ray Relays at Tennessee.