HPU Track and Field Recaps: Aggie Invite

Craig and Van Niekerk Place First; Villavicencio Sets School Record at Aggie Invite

The High Point University men’s track and field team wrapped up a full day of events for the Panthers at the Aggie Invitational on Saturday. The Panthers had two individual winners in Adam Craig in the pole vault and reigning Big South Men’s Field Athlete of the Week Chris Van Niekerk picked up the win in the discus. A Panther program record was also set as Anthony Villavicencio broke his record in the hammer with a mark of 48.97m.

After a shining performance at the Vertklasse Meeting last week where he won the 100m and the 200m Paul Gore wanted to build off of his momentum this week. He did just that in the 200m at the Aggie Invitational running a PR time of 21.23. He finished 14 out of 54 in an elite field. Fellow Panther teammate Deron Dudley finished 16th out of 54 with a time of 21.54.

HPU saw great success on Saturday in the field events, Van Niekerk finished first in the discus with a mark of 52.37m as the sophomore again made a case for this week’s Big South Field Athlete of the Week. Craig recorded his first collegiate outdoor pole vault win with a mark of 4.70m. Villavicencio continues to have a great senior campaign as he broke his own record in the hammer with a throw of 48.97m.

The HPU’s 4×100 had its best performance of the season finishing second with a time of 41.41.

The Panthers will be in action next week in two locations with Panthers competing in the UVA Challenge on Friday, April 16, and Saturday, April 17 while also having competitors at the Elon Phoenix Invitational on Saturday, April 17.


Dawson and Harper Place First Individually, Marsico Sets School Record at Aggie Invitational

The High Point University women’s track and field team wrapped up a full day of events for the Panthers at the Aggie Invitational on Saturday. Alicia Dawson and Camryn Harper headlined the day for HPU with first-place finishes in their respective events. Dawson earned a first-place finish in the long jump while Harper finished first in the 800m. Not only were there individual wins but also a program record was broken, Letizia Jessica Marsico set a new outdoor school record in the shot put with a mark of 13.37m.

High Point sophomore Jordan Morrison continues to impress she finished sixth in the 400 hurdles with a time of 1:02.00. This marks her fifth straight week with a PR in the 400 hurdles. Jessica Keys finished second in the pole vault as the senior finished with a mark of 3.60m.

In the women’s 1500m Olive Allen placed second with a PR time of 4:36.77, Sydney Bagus finished right behind her with a third-place PR time of 4:39.61.

Dawson finished first in the long jump with a mark of 6.10m which is a personal best for the Sophomore. The mark is 49th best in the NCAA currently. Harper finished first in the 800 with a time of 2:08.16 which is a personal best time. She beat her previous personal best by five seconds. Harper’s time of 2:08.16 is the 33rd fastest time in the NCAA and is very close to qualifying regionally. Marsico rounded at the impressive day for the Panthers with a new school record in the shot put outdoors as the freshman recorded a mark of 13.37m.