Track and Field: Season-Bests Highlight HPU’s Action at Phoenix Invite

*** Both men’s and women’s recaps included ***

Elliott Clears Big PR in Pole Vault at Phoenix Invitational

ELON, N.C.—The High Point University women’s track and field team finished action at the Phoenix Invitational Saturday (April 14) in Elon.

In the pole vault, freshman Nathalie Elliott cleared four meters for the first time in her career, winning the event with a clearance of 4.01m (13-1.75). Fellow freshmen Jessica Keys and Heather Keck finished third and fourth on misses after both cleared 3.41m (11-2.25).

Sophomore Ariel Wilbekin finished in a tie for first place in the triple jump with a season-best mark of 11.58m (38-0).

Senior Mackenzi Holmes-DiGiovine placed fifth in the hammer throw with a season-best mark of 47.14 (154-8).

In the shot put, senior CeAnna Soper was sixth with a throw of 11.69m (38-4.25).

Junior Charlotte Morrow placed sixth in the high jump after clearing a season-best height of 1.56m (5-1.25).

“Nathalie’s vault puts her in a really good position to go to the NCAA First Round,” HPU head coach Mike Esposito said. “Our other women vaulters are putting some things together and the marks will soon follow. Ariel (Wilbekin) had a very good series in the triple jump and starting to show consistency at the right time. Mackenzi rallied to finish with a really good hammer throw.

“In these last few weeks, we are simply looking for consistency, sharpening up a few things and getting completely healthy.”

Next weekend (April 20-21), a select group of student-athletes will travel to Charlottesville, Va., for the Virginia Challenge, while a majority of the team will compete at the Duke Invitational in Durham.


Season-Bests Highlight HPU Men’s Action at Phoenix Invite

ELON, N.C. — The High Point University men’s track and field team posted multiple season-best times at the Phoenix Invitational Saturday (April 14) in Elon.

Sophomore Carter Clasper cleared a personal-best outdoor height for the second-consecutive week, placing second and was the top collegian after clearing 4.92m (16-1.75). Fellow sophomore Jordan McClung was fourth at a personal-best outdoor height of 4.62m (15-1.75).

In the 1,500 meters, freshman Siro Pina Cardona placed second in 3:58.92., while sophomore TJ Morales was eighth in 4:10.54.

Freshman Levi Williams finished fourth in the 200 meters in a time 22.34, despite a major headwind (-2.3).

In the shot put, junior Britton Mann placed fourth with a season-best mark of 14.26m (46-9.5). Mann also finished sixth in the discus with a throw of 41.76m (137-0).

Freshman Anthony Sasso placed 10th in the 800 meters in 1:57.51, while sophomore Jake Dunn was 13th in 1:59.69 and freshman Brendan McCabe finished 15th in 2:00.88.

The 4x400m relay of sophomore Pablo Romero, freshman Gabriel Stainback, Sasso and junior Brad Kanney finished fifth in 3:28.70.

At the North Carolina A&T Aggie Invitational in Greensboro, senior James House finished 13th in the 100 meters in 10.85 and 19th in the 200 meters in 21.77.

“Carter had a second-consecutive outdoor PR and had good attempts at a possible NCAA First Round-qualifying mark,” HPU head coach Mike Esposito said. “Our other male jumpers are putting things together. Siro ran up in distance as he prepares for the championship season. Levi’s race was very solid as it was into a considerable headwind.

“Over at A&T, James House had a very consistent meet and I feel strongly that he is going to really come around by the conference championships.”

Next weekend (April 20-21), a select group of student-athletes will travel to Charlottesville, Va., for the Virginia Challenge, while a majority of the team will compete at the Duke Invitational in Durham.