Elon’s Griffin Sets New Personal Record at Virginia Tech Track & Field Challenge

BLACKSBURG, Va. – Sophomore Sydney Griffin set a new personal and school-record in the 60-meter hurdles to highlight the Elon University women’s track and field team’s first day at the Virginia Tech Challenge on Friday, Feb. 21, inside the Rector Field House.

“The first day went well as we are getting our legs back under us,” said Elon head track and field coach Mark Elliston. “To have Sydney break her record again was really special. We also had some good times in the 200-meters, Claire (Smith) had a new personal-best in the pole vault. I’m excited for tomorrow and hope to see some more solid performances.”

Griffin clocked in a time of 8.56 in the event, breaking her previous school mark of 8.60 that she set just earlier this week on Monday, Feb. 17, at the Liberty Quad. The Marietta, Ga., native finished third in the race just missing second with an official time of 8.560 to South Carolina’s Sarah Graham’s 8.554.

Griffin also ran a time of 25.19 in the in the 200-meters, finishing eighth overall. Jennifer Pash established a new persona-record in the race with a time of 25.27, the fourth-best time on the indoor performance list in school history.

Griffin was the Phoenix’s top finisher in the 60-meter dash with a qualifying time of 7.92. Simone Jackson was next up for the Phoenix with a mark of 7.98 followed by Bria Turner at 8.02.

Carrie Abraham had a mark of 37’10.75” (11.55m) in the triple jump, finishing fifth overall. Jayna Coyle had a leap of 36’6.75” (10.84m), good for a finish in the top-10.

Charlise Morgan had a throw of 53’6.25” (16.31m) in the weight throw, finishing eighth in the event. Freshman Briana O’Grady had a toss of 45’3.75” (13.81m), good for 13th. Smith cleared the bar at 10’11.75” (3.35m) in the pole vault and was eighth overall.

The maroon and gold will compete again tomorrow on the second day at the meet beginning with the women’s high jump at 11 a.m.