HPU Track and Field Finishes Action at Liberty Elite Invitational

HPU Women Finish Action at Liberty Elite Invitational

LYNCHBURG, Va. — The High Point University women’s track and field continued gearing up for the Big South Championships Saturday (Feb. 10) at the Liberty Elite Invitational in Lynchburg, Va.

In the 5,000 meters, sophomore Zoe Geis was the runner-up in a time of 17:38.70 and junior Courtney Kerr placed fourth in 18:31.99. Freshman Julia Hellman placed fifth in 10:22.75.

Freshman Caroline Baudinet finished third in the 800 meters in 2:12.58, while fellow freshman Sydney Bagus was sixth in the mile in a PR of 5:14.15.

In pole vault, freshman Nathalie Elliott placed fourth with a height of 3.80m (12-5.5), while sophomore Rachel Berndsen was eighth at a height of 3.50m (11-5.75), a personal best.

In the horizontal jumps, sophomore Ariel Wilbekin placed eighth in the triple jump with a mark of 11.17m (36-7.75) and ninth in the long jump with a leap of 5.04m (16-6.5).

Sophomore Kanajzae Brown placed ninth in the 60 meters in 7.85.

The 4x400m relay of senior CeAnna Soper, junior Keaton Case, Baudinet and sophomore Madison Reynolds placed fifth in 3:58.93.

“We had an up-and-down day,” HPU head coach Mike Esposito said. “Zoe Geis ran a really strong 5K with a new PR and Caroline (Baudinet) closed big in the 800 meters and followed that up with a really strong leg on the 4×400 relay. Nathalie Elliott remains rock solid in the vault, while Rachel (Berndsen) set a new personal best. The pole vault is going to be a very important event for us going into the conference champs as will Ariel (Wilbekin) in the jumps.

“We have two weeks to sharpen up, get everyone healthy and put a total team performance together at Big Souths.”

Next up, the Panthers compete at the UCS Invite at the JDL FastTrack in Winston-Salem Feb. 16-17.

HPU Men: Juan Torres Wins 3,000m at Liberty Elite Invitational

LYNCHBURG, Va. — The High Point University men’s track and field team’s Alejandro Juan Torres won the 3,000 meters as the Panthers finished action at the Liberty Elite Invitational Saturday (Feb. 10) in Lynchburg.

Senior Alejandro Juan Torres won the 3,000 meters in 8:14.61, while freshman Hocine Bouchark was third in 8:18.49. Juan Torres’ time was just more than a second off the school record (8:13.43 – Taylor Milne, 2005).

Freshman Siro Pina Cardona was the runner-up in the 800 meters in 1:53.33, while sophomore Jake Dunn was 10th in 1:59.27.

In the pole vault, sophomores Carter Clasper and Jordan McClung finished seventh and eighth on misses at a height of 4.90m (16-0.75).

Sophomore John Singleton III placed seventh in the high jump at a height of 1.83m (6-0).

In the throws, junior Britton Mann placed eighth in the weight throw with a mark of 13.47m (44-2.5) and ninth in the shot put with a throw of 13.34m (43-9.25).

The 4x400m relay of sophomore Pablo Romero, freshman Gabriel Stainback, Pina Cardona and freshman Anthony Sasso placed third in 3:21.74.

“Our day started a little rough but ended with a big push,” HPU head coach Mike Esposito said. “We had two big personal records by Jordan and Carter in the pole vault and that was followed by excellent performances in the 3K by Alejandro and Hocine. Alejandro was just off Taylor Milne’s school record.

Next up, the Panthers compete at the UCS Invite at the JDL FastTrack in Winston-Salem Feb. 16-17.