Elon Track & Field Phoenix Competes at Split Meets at JDL DMR Invitational and at Virginia Tech Challenge

ELON, N.C. – Freshman Kristine Strazdite set a new personal-record in the indoor shot put as members of the Elon University women’s track and field team competed at both the JDL DMR Invitational and at the Virginia Tech Challenge on Friday, Feb. 15.

Results (JDL DMR Invitational)Results (Virginia Tech Challenge)

Strazdite became the latest athlete from the Phoenix to qualify for the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Indoor Championships as the Valmiera, Latvia, native threw a personal-record toss of 44′ 5.50″ (13.55m) in the shot put at the JDL DMR Invitational, moving into the top-five marks in school history. She would finish third overall in the event. Skylar Barthelmes was fourth overall in the shot put with her throw of 42′ 3.25″ (12.88m).

At the Virginia Tech Challenge, Nicole Karabas and Blythe Hehmeyer took the top-two spots in the unseeded pole vault, with Karabas earning the win with her cleared height of 10′ 11.75″ (3.35m). Hehmeyer also cleared the bar at the same height, but needed more attempts. Ellie Bennett was fifth overall with her mark of 10′ 6″ (3.20m).

In the running events at Virginia Tech, Jordan Haywood clocked a personal-best time of 25.40 in the 200-meters and was seventh overall. She was also third in the 60-meter hurdles with her personal-record time of 9.10

Alex Tudor was the top finisher for the Phoenix in the long jump at the Virginia Tech Challenge at sixth overall with a leap of 17′ 11.5″ (5.47m). Melody Burke was next at 17′ 8.75″ (5.40m) in seventh and Elyse King was right behind at 17′ 3.5″ (5.27m).

The Phoenix concludes the second and final day at both the JDL DMR Invitational and at the Virginia Tech Challenge on Saturday, Feb. 16.