Saturday, April 20
Charlottesville, Va.
9:00 a.m.
West Virginia University
at
Virginia Challenge
Gardner Takes Down Another Record at Virginia
April 20, 2019 10:50 PM | Track & Field
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Redshirt senior Madelin Gardner of the West Virginia University track and field team broke the outdoor school record in the pole vault at the Virginia Challenge in Charlottesville, Virginia, on Saturday.
Gardner jumped a career-best 4.47 meters (14 feet, 8 inches) at Virginia's Lannigan Field, earning the win in the pole vault's invitational section and taking down her previous WVU record of 4.41 meters from last season. The reigning Big 12 Women's Track and Field Athlete of the Week cleared marks of 4.12, 4.22, 4.32 and 4.42 meters before her final successful clearance of 4.47 meters.
The mark was good for a meet and facility record, as well as the fourth-highest jump in the country this season. It also marked the third consecutive season Gardner has broken the outdoor school record at the Virginia Challenge. The Williamstown, West Virginia, native has now won four of her five appearances in the pole vault this outdoor season.
"After a great week of training, Maddy was rewarded with some of the finest vaulting of her life," WVU coach Sean Cleary said. "She once again showcased her outstanding ability in what was a terrific display. Her recent adjustments have gone a long way, and they are exactly what we've been hoping for."
In all, the Mountaineers competed in seven events on the final day of the two-day meet, combining for three top-10 finishes.
Freshman Peter-Gay McKenzie opened Saturday's action with a ninth-place finish in the long jump with a mark of 5.65 meters (18 feet, 6.5 inches). From there, redshirt senior Shamoya McNeil placed fifth in the triple jump invitational with a mark of 12.66 meters (41 feet, 6.5 inches).
On the track, redshirt freshman Hayley Jackson finished 13th in the 1,500 meters invitational with a time of 4:25.02, while redshirt freshman Katherine Dowie took 24th in the 3,000-meter steeplechase invitational in 11:05.43. Redshirt junior Olivia Hill took 28th overall (10th in her section) in the 5,000 meters invitational, crossing the finish line in 16:45.90.
WVU competed in just two events on Friday before action was postponed due to inclement weather. Redshirt senior Bria Welker provided a highlight for the Mountaineers with a fifth-place finish in the 400 meters. The Ridgeley, West Virginia, native matched her season-best time in the event, clocking in at 56.40.
This weekend marked the seventh consecutive season WVU has competed at the Virginia Challenge. It also marked the team's ninth trip to Charlottesville since 2014, including the second this season. WVU also competed at a four-team meet hosted by the Cavaliers on April 6.
More than 50 teams joined WVU in Charlottesville at the meet, including Boston College, Marshall, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, NC State, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Pitt, Penn State, Rutgers, Syracuse, No. 16 Tennessee, Virginia, Wake Forest and others.
Next up, West Virginia returns home to host the State Farm Friends of Track & Field Mountaineer Showcase, from April 26-27, at The Track and Field Complex at Mylan Park in Morgantown. Competition is set to begin on Friday at 2 p.m., while Saturday's action is scheduled to start at 9 a.m.
The meet marks the second of three home meets at the new facility for the Mountaineers this spring.
For more information on the Mountaineers, visit WVUsports.com and follow WVUXCTF on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Gardner jumped a career-best 4.47 meters (14 feet, 8 inches) at Virginia's Lannigan Field, earning the win in the pole vault's invitational section and taking down her previous WVU record of 4.41 meters from last season. The reigning Big 12 Women's Track and Field Athlete of the Week cleared marks of 4.12, 4.22, 4.32 and 4.42 meters before her final successful clearance of 4.47 meters.
The mark was good for a meet and facility record, as well as the fourth-highest jump in the country this season. It also marked the third consecutive season Gardner has broken the outdoor school record at the Virginia Challenge. The Williamstown, West Virginia, native has now won four of her five appearances in the pole vault this outdoor season.
"After a great week of training, Maddy was rewarded with some of the finest vaulting of her life," WVU coach Sean Cleary said. "She once again showcased her outstanding ability in what was a terrific display. Her recent adjustments have gone a long way, and they are exactly what we've been hoping for."
In all, the Mountaineers competed in seven events on the final day of the two-day meet, combining for three top-10 finishes.
Freshman Peter-Gay McKenzie opened Saturday's action with a ninth-place finish in the long jump with a mark of 5.65 meters (18 feet, 6.5 inches). From there, redshirt senior Shamoya McNeil placed fifth in the triple jump invitational with a mark of 12.66 meters (41 feet, 6.5 inches).
On the track, redshirt freshman Hayley Jackson finished 13th in the 1,500 meters invitational with a time of 4:25.02, while redshirt freshman Katherine Dowie took 24th in the 3,000-meter steeplechase invitational in 11:05.43. Redshirt junior Olivia Hill took 28th overall (10th in her section) in the 5,000 meters invitational, crossing the finish line in 16:45.90.
WVU competed in just two events on Friday before action was postponed due to inclement weather. Redshirt senior Bria Welker provided a highlight for the Mountaineers with a fifth-place finish in the 400 meters. The Ridgeley, West Virginia, native matched her season-best time in the event, clocking in at 56.40.
This weekend marked the seventh consecutive season WVU has competed at the Virginia Challenge. It also marked the team's ninth trip to Charlottesville since 2014, including the second this season. WVU also competed at a four-team meet hosted by the Cavaliers on April 6.
More than 50 teams joined WVU in Charlottesville at the meet, including Boston College, Marshall, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, NC State, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Pitt, Penn State, Rutgers, Syracuse, No. 16 Tennessee, Virginia, Wake Forest and others.
Next up, West Virginia returns home to host the State Farm Friends of Track & Field Mountaineer Showcase, from April 26-27, at The Track and Field Complex at Mylan Park in Morgantown. Competition is set to begin on Friday at 2 p.m., while Saturday's action is scheduled to start at 9 a.m.
The meet marks the second of three home meets at the new facility for the Mountaineers this spring.
For more information on the Mountaineers, visit WVUsports.com and follow WVUXCTF on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Players Mentioned
Distance
/ Track & Field
Pole Vault
/ Track & Field
Distance
/ Track & Field
Mid-Distance
/ Track & Field
Multi
/ Track & Field
Jumps
/ Track & Field
Hurdles/Sprints
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