LYNCHBURG, Va. — Sophomore Alyssa Palenchar set a new High Point University record in the pole vault as the women’s track & field team competed in the Liberty Twilight Qualifier on Thursday in Lynchburg, Va. Palenchar cleared 3.70 meters (12-1.5) to break her previous record of 3.65 meters (11-11.75).
Palenchar became the first HPU women’s track athlete to clear 12 feet in the pole vault, indoors or outdoors. Sophomore Jill Marois, who won the pole vault at the Big South Championship last week, placed seventh with a height of 3.40 meters (11-1.75).
Sophomore Christine Rickert won the javelin with a throw of 43.11 meters (141-5). It was her fourth victory in that event this season, including the Big South title.
In the 1,500-meter, freshman Cozette Collin was runner-up in a season-best 4:40.61. Right behind was senior Audrey Malloy, who ran a career-best 4:41.13, while freshman Natalia Ocasio placed fifth in a season-best 4:43.07.
Sophomore Erika Herrmann placed fifth in the high jump with a height of 1.55 meters (5-1). Sophomore Lilla Lorand rounded out HPU’s competitors, placing seventh in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 1:03.17.
High Point is back in action next weekend at the Virginia Challenge on Friday and Saturday, and the Aggie Last Chance on Sunday.