Four Mountaineers Set Program Record

Saturday, February 4

University Park, Pa.

10:30 a.m.

West Virginia University

Sykes & Sabock Challenge

February 04, 2023 07:23 PM | Track & Field

Scarlet and White Results Sykes & Sabock Challenge

By: John Keehan

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University track and field team competed at the Scarlet and White Invite hosted by Boston University and the Sykes & Sabock Challenge hosted by Penn State University at the Horace Ashenfelter III Indoor Track in University Park, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, Feb. 4.

The Mountaineers opened the weekend with the Distance Medley Relay in Boston on Friday. Redshirt senior Mikaela Lucki led the record-setting team, while senior Tessa Constantine took on the second leg. The third leg was run by sophomore Cassandra Williamson and her classmate Ceili McCabe anchored the squad. The team crossed the finish line at 10:59.09.

"Anytime you break a school record, it is a special moment," coach Sean Cleary said. "The team that held that record was an exceptionally accomplished group. Between them, we had four earn All-American status in addition to many other accolades. Last night has been a long time coming for this group. We are very happy to break 11 minutes, but we also know that we left some time on the board."

The record was previously set in 2009 by April Rotilio, Kaylyn Christopher, Karly Hamric and Keri Bland. The former record holders finished in 11:05.12.

Williamson and redshirt senior Hayley Jackson also competed at the Scarlet and White Invite and ran the 800-meter. Jackson crossed the finish line first for WVU with a time of 2:07.14. Williamson followed her at 2:08.28.

Jackson's time is good enough for fourth all-time in program history, while Williamson slots herself in at fifth on the all-time list. The DMR time is the 10th best in the NCAA this season and is 25th in NCAA history. The DMR is the fourth school record that has been set during this indoor season. It joins the 600-meter, the mile and the 3000-meter, as records that have been set this season.
"Hayley and Cassandra had strong performances over 800-meters with both falling fourth and fifth on our all-time lists," Cleary said.

Senior Sada Wright earned sixth in the women's weight throw in University Park. Wright also was recently named a recipient of the 2023 Scholar Athlete Postgraduate Award.

Freshman Olivia Cress tied her personal best in high jump at the challenge. Her classmate Grace Wu, along with sophomores Megan Weaver and Tazanna Epps all set personal bests in the 1000-meter run.

Redshirt freshman Emily Bryce earned a personal best in the mile at Penn State, while sophomore Ghamani Hogue recorded a personal best in the 200-meter sprint.

"The group at Penn State was provided another opportunity to better themselves on a familiar track," Cleary commented. "We have a few more weekends to decide who will be competing in Lubbock at the Big 12 Championships."

West Virginia continues the campaign on Feb. 10 and 11, as the squad splits to compete at two meets. Part of the team competes at the Marshall Invite in Huntington, West Virginia, while the Mountaineers will also return to Boston for the BU Valentine.

For more information on the Mountaineers, visit WVUsports.com and follow WVUXCTF on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.