Elon Women’s T&F Phoenix Opens 2017 at Virginia Tech Invitational

ELON, N.C. – After the turn of the calendar year, the Elon University women’s track and field team is back for indoor competition at the Virginia Tech Invitational on the weekend of Jan. 13-14, inside the Rector Field House. Action kicks off on Friday, Jan. 13, at 5 p.m.

MEET INFO

Follow the Phoenix
Fans can keep up with the action of the Phoenix this weekend with live results listed on the Elon women’s track and field schedule page. Other updates will be provided on the team’s social media accounts on Twitter and Instagram at the handle, @eu_xctf.

Setting the Stage
The Phoenix is expected to have 20 of its athletes in competition this weekend in Elon’s first action of the 2017 calendar year. Among the notable Division I schools competing on the women’s side includes Miami, Virginia, Wake Forest, Radford, Charlotte, High Point, UNCG, Richmond, Army and host Virginia Tech.

Last Time Out
The Phoenix opened the 2016-17 track season on Dec. 3, at the JDL College Kickoff Classic. Seven athletes set new personal or school records for the maroon and gold including a a victory in the one-mile run for senior Kimberly Johansen. Johansen broke her previous indoor program record by two seconds in the race as the Chelmsford, England, native clocked a 4:47.00 – 13 seconds faster than the runner-up.

The Phoenix also saw a pair of athletes earn top-five finishes in both the shot put and the 800-meter run while also setting new personal-best marks. In the shot put, Bre’anna Warren set a personal career-best with a 45′ 7.25″ (13.90m) and was third overall while teammate Bryanna Hames was fourth with her new personal-record of 45′ 2.25″ (13.77m). Those marks are now second and third on the program’s all-time indoor shot put list.

In the 800-meter run, sophomore Chelsea Smith broke into the top-five on the program’s indoor list in the race after clocking a 2:17.14 and was third overall. Another personal-record was set in the weight throw as senior Briana O’Grady set a new standard with a 50′ 1.25″ (15.27m). Sophomore Ellie Bennett set a new personal-record in the indoor pole vault with her mark of 10′ 11.75″ (3.35m) and was fourth overall.

Phoenix Flying atop NCAA/ECAC Qualifying List
Johansen’s time in the one-mile run currently stands second in the NCAA Division I Indoor Qualifying list while Smith is 33rd overall in the nation in the 800-meter run. Johansen is one of three Elon athletes that have qualified for the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Indoor Championships along with Warenn and Hames. Johansen currently has the best overall qualifying time in the ECAC while Warren is ninth in the shot put followed by Hames at 12th.

On Deck
The Phoenix returns to the JDL Fast Track Complex for the Wake Forest Invitational on Jan. 21.