HIGH POINT, N.C.—Sophomore Keaton Case captured the title in the 1,500 meters as the High Point University women’s track and field team finished action on the first day of the Bob Davidson Spring Kick-Off Friday (March 17) at Vert Stadium.
Case won the 1,500 meters in a time of 4:37.25, a PR of over 10 seconds and No. 4 on the HPU all-time list, while senior Natalia Ocasio was third in 4:38.77.
In the heptathlon, junior CeAnna Soper finished sixth with 4,050 points, while senior Erika Bridges was seventh with 3,921 points. Freshman Anika Weisbrod placed ninth with 3,660 points. Soper placed first in the javelin portion with a mark of 34.55m (113-4). The heptathlon was part of the final day of the Bill Webb Combined Events Classic.
In the 5,000 meters, freshman Kylie Hennessey crossed the line sixth in 18:15.24.
Senior Amanda Gregory placed eighth in the long jump with a mark of 5.39m (17-8.25).
“We certainly had a couple highlights on the women’s side,” HPU head coach Mike Esposito said. “Keaton’s performance in the 1,500 was very encouraging with a first-place finish and a life-time best for a (season) opener. Amanda (Gregory) had a solid series in the long jump and Natalia (Ocasio) was third in the 1,500, but ran very aggressive, which is what we are asking of her. Kylie (Hennessey) had a huge breakthrough in the 5K.”
In the high jump, sophomore Charlotte Morrow cleared a height of 1.50m (4-11) to place 10th.
“We have some of our bigger guns coming tomorrow, including Mackenzie (Holmes-DiGiovine) in the discus, Jamie (Schnuck) in the hammer and Cozette (Collin) in the 800,” Esposito said. “We are looking for a kid to take advantage of competing at home. All of our support staff have been excellent and we look forward to the conclusion of a very successful meet.”
The Bob Davidson Kick-Off Spring Classic concludes Saturday (March 18) with field events starting at 9 a.m. and the track events slated to begin at noon.
HPU Men Finish First Day of Bob Davidson Spring Kick-Off
HIGH POINT, N.C.—The High Point University men’s track and field team opened action at the Bob Davidson Spring Kick-Off Friday (March 17) at Vert Stadium.
Senior Drew Francoeur placed fourth in the javelin with a mark of 60.61m (198-10), while freshman Josh Brown was 10th in 50.75m (166-6).
“The javelin was a good event for us today,” HPU head coach Mike Esposito said. “Josh (Brown) and Drew (Francoeur) are certainly on the right path. We still had some events I think we lacked the passion necessary to be successful.
“This is our outdoor opener and that simply shows that we have a long, but very promising season ahead of us, but as my dad would say, ‘there’s work to be done.’”
In the pole vault, freshman Carter Casper cleared a height of 4.60m (15-1) to finish fifth. Senior Isaiah Henderson was ninth with a height of 4.30m (14-1.25), while freshman Matt Knipfer was 10th at 4.15m (13-7.25).
Junior James House finished 10th in the 100 meters in 11.02, while freshman Pablo Romero Gonzalez placed 10th in the 110m hurdles in 15.33.
In the 1,500 meters, sophomore Patrick Ver Der Cruyssen crossed the line 10th in 4:08.40.
“We have some of our bigger guns coming tomorrow, including Vinny (Todaro) and Alejandro (Juan Torres) in the 3,000,” Esposito said. “We are looking for a kid to take advantage of competing at home. All of our support staff have been excellent and we look forward to the conclusion of a very successful meet.”
The Bob Davidson Kick-Off Spring Classic concludes Saturday (March 18) with field events starting at 9 a.m. and the track events slated to begin at noon.