WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Junior Kaitlin Whittington set a new HPU record in the triple jump as the High Point University women’s track & field team opened the indoor season at the JDL College Kickoff Classic in Winston-Salem, N.C., on Saturday.
“A lot of the athletes were nervous about their first meet but they all came out and performed pretty well,” associate head coach Eric Dudley said. “I think they are very encouraged about the fact that we are in the middle of a heavy training rotation and were still competitive. We are very excited about Kaitlin Whittington’s school record, it’s been a long a time coming for her. We have also really identified where some of our freshman are and how they are handling the transition to college.”
Whittington jumped 11.95 meters (39-2.5) in her first attempt of the day to finish second in the event, the Panthers highest finish of the day. The junior broke the previous High Point record of 11.77 meters (38-7.5) set by Denise Morgan in 2003. Whittington also bested her previous career high of 11.40 meters (37-5) on two of her six jumps.
Freshman Lilla Loránd finished fourth in the 500-meter run with a time of 1:19.07 in her first college race. Fellow freshman Stephanie Quinn finished in 20th in her first collegiate event.
Freshman Jill Marois enjoyed a successful debut in the pole vault, finishing in third with a vault of 3.05 meters (10-0). Marois was one of three HPU vaulters to finish in the top eight as freshman Alyssa Palenchar finished in fourth with a vault of 3.05 meters and sophomore Ashton Kirby finished eighth with a vault of 2.90 meters (9-6.25).
Two freshman Panthers made their debuts in the high jump as Erica Herrmann finished in 13th after clearing 1.52 meters (4-11.75) and Olivia Orrill finished 15th with a jump of 1.47 meters. (4-9.75).
High Point returns to action following the winter break on Jan. 18 when the team heads to Blacksburg, Va., to take part in the Virginia Tech Invite.