Saturday, March 30
Raleigh, N.C.
9:30 a.m.
West Virginia University
at
Raleigh Relays
Photo by: PrettySporty/Cheryl Treworgy
WVU Closes Busy, Cross-Country Weekend
March 30, 2019 06:30 PM | Track & Field
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University track and field team concluded its four-meet weekend at the Raleigh Relays, in Raleigh, North Carolina, and the 92nd Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays, in Austin, Texas, on Saturday.
The Mountaineers competed in a pair of events at NC State's Paul Derr Track & Facility and one at Texas' Mike A. Myers Stadium. Redshirt senior Madelin Gardner led the way with a 10th-place finish in the pole vault university elite event in Austin, earning a mark of 4.10 meters (13 feet, 5.25 inches).
The trip allowed the three-time All-American to receive a first look at the site for the 2019 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, which is set for June 5-8, in Austin.
The Mountaineers last competed at the Texas Relays in 2016.
"We're pleased that Maddy got the chance to compete at the site of Nationals," WVU coach Sean Cleary said. "The winds can be in your favor, but it can also wreak havoc in some certain events. The experience she gained today with some swirling winds should prepare her for the National Championships. Maddy also tightened her grip on qualifying for the NCAA Regional."
In Raleigh, redshirt junior Candace Jones logged a 14th-place finish in the 800 meters, registering a season-best time of 2:10.54. Freshman Margaret Rymer competed in the 400-meter hurdles, finishing 34th in 1:05.83.
"Candace rebounded from a frustrating debut in the 800 from a week ago," Cleary said. "Today, she put herself in contention for the win down in North Carolina. She's moving in the right direction as we enter a phase in the season where we're looking to get kids qualified for NCAAs."
In all, the Mountaineers competed in eight events at the two-day meet in the Tar Heel State. WVU was joined by Duke, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Michigan State, Mississippi State, NC State, Notre Dame, North Carolina, Ohio State, Penn State, Pitt, Syracuse, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest and many others at one of the East Coast's largest outdoor collegiate meets.
WVU has now competed at the Raleigh Relays for three consecutive seasons.
Elsewhere, freshman Charlotte Wood competed at the 2019 International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF)/Mikkeller World Cross Country Championships in Aarhus, Denmark, on Saturday. Representing Team Canada, the Bracebridge, Ontario, native earned a 40th-place finish in the Women's U20 Race, with a time of 23.08.
Team Canada placed sixth as a team in the event.
"Charlotte got a true experience of what international-level running is about," Cleary said. "She handled the pressure like a veteran in what was her first taste at an event of this caliber."
Along with opening night action at NC State on Friday, West Virginia also competed at the Stanford Invitational, in Stanford, California. Redshirt freshman Hayley Jackson finished 15th in the 5,000 meters (section 2) at Stanford's Cobb Track and Angell Field, crossing the finish line in 16:20.50.
Additionally, redshirt junior Olivia Hill competed in the 10,000 meters (section 2), taking 21st place in 34:28.43.
"We learned that at some point in Hayley's future, the 5,000 could become her college event," Cleary said. "For now, we know there are a few things we need to work on to get her running at her potential at that distance. With that said, her performance last night has gotten her a time that has qualified for the regional every year.
"Olivia leaves California with a 20-second personal-best time. Much like Hayley, we don't know what will be required to make the NCAA Championships, but we feel very confident Olivia will be on that starting line."
The Mountaineers began the week at the Mike Fanelli Track Classic, in Hayward, California, on Thursday night. Redshirt freshman Katherine Dowie placed fifth in the 3,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 10:35.96. Freshman Mikenna Vanderheyden also competed in the event, finishing in 23rd place.
Thursday marked the first time WVU has competed at the Fanelli Classic, formerly known as the San Francisco State Distance Carnival, since 2011.
Next up, WVU travels to Charlottesville, Virginia, for a meet against host Virginia, Maryland and Pitt on Saturday, April 6. The trip marks the first of two visits to the Cavaliers' Lannigan Field for the Mountaineers this outdoor season.
For more information on the Mountaineers, visit WVUsports.com and follow WVUXCTF on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
The Mountaineers competed in a pair of events at NC State's Paul Derr Track & Facility and one at Texas' Mike A. Myers Stadium. Redshirt senior Madelin Gardner led the way with a 10th-place finish in the pole vault university elite event in Austin, earning a mark of 4.10 meters (13 feet, 5.25 inches).
The trip allowed the three-time All-American to receive a first look at the site for the 2019 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, which is set for June 5-8, in Austin.
The Mountaineers last competed at the Texas Relays in 2016.
"We're pleased that Maddy got the chance to compete at the site of Nationals," WVU coach Sean Cleary said. "The winds can be in your favor, but it can also wreak havoc in some certain events. The experience she gained today with some swirling winds should prepare her for the National Championships. Maddy also tightened her grip on qualifying for the NCAA Regional."
In Raleigh, redshirt junior Candace Jones logged a 14th-place finish in the 800 meters, registering a season-best time of 2:10.54. Freshman Margaret Rymer competed in the 400-meter hurdles, finishing 34th in 1:05.83.
"Candace rebounded from a frustrating debut in the 800 from a week ago," Cleary said. "Today, she put herself in contention for the win down in North Carolina. She's moving in the right direction as we enter a phase in the season where we're looking to get kids qualified for NCAAs."
In all, the Mountaineers competed in eight events at the two-day meet in the Tar Heel State. WVU was joined by Duke, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Michigan State, Mississippi State, NC State, Notre Dame, North Carolina, Ohio State, Penn State, Pitt, Syracuse, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest and many others at one of the East Coast's largest outdoor collegiate meets.
WVU has now competed at the Raleigh Relays for three consecutive seasons.
Elsewhere, freshman Charlotte Wood competed at the 2019 International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF)/Mikkeller World Cross Country Championships in Aarhus, Denmark, on Saturday. Representing Team Canada, the Bracebridge, Ontario, native earned a 40th-place finish in the Women's U20 Race, with a time of 23.08.
Team Canada placed sixth as a team in the event.
"Charlotte got a true experience of what international-level running is about," Cleary said. "She handled the pressure like a veteran in what was her first taste at an event of this caliber."
Along with opening night action at NC State on Friday, West Virginia also competed at the Stanford Invitational, in Stanford, California. Redshirt freshman Hayley Jackson finished 15th in the 5,000 meters (section 2) at Stanford's Cobb Track and Angell Field, crossing the finish line in 16:20.50.
Additionally, redshirt junior Olivia Hill competed in the 10,000 meters (section 2), taking 21st place in 34:28.43.
"We learned that at some point in Hayley's future, the 5,000 could become her college event," Cleary said. "For now, we know there are a few things we need to work on to get her running at her potential at that distance. With that said, her performance last night has gotten her a time that has qualified for the regional every year.
"Olivia leaves California with a 20-second personal-best time. Much like Hayley, we don't know what will be required to make the NCAA Championships, but we feel very confident Olivia will be on that starting line."
The Mountaineers began the week at the Mike Fanelli Track Classic, in Hayward, California, on Thursday night. Redshirt freshman Katherine Dowie placed fifth in the 3,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 10:35.96. Freshman Mikenna Vanderheyden also competed in the event, finishing in 23rd place.
Thursday marked the first time WVU has competed at the Fanelli Classic, formerly known as the San Francisco State Distance Carnival, since 2011.
Next up, WVU travels to Charlottesville, Virginia, for a meet against host Virginia, Maryland and Pitt on Saturday, April 6. The trip marks the first of two visits to the Cavaliers' Lannigan Field for the Mountaineers this outdoor season.
For more information on the Mountaineers, visit WVUsports.com and follow WVUXCTF on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Players Mentioned
Mid-Distance
/ Track & Field
Distance
/ Track & Field
Pole Vault
/ Track & Field
Distance
/ Track & Field
Mid-Distance
/ Track & Field
Hurdles
/ Track & Field
Mid-Distance
/ Track & Field
Distance
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