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BLACKSBURG, Va. -- Virginia Tech’s track squad kicked of the new year Friday, hosting the Virgina Tech Invitational. At the end of the first day of competition, the Hokies earned two titles to go along with three other top-three finishers.

Tech’s first competitor of the day was Keith Ricks in the 60-meter dash, who won the fifth and final preliminary heat in 6.83 to qualify for the finals, where he later placed second (6.73). Hokie junior Taylore Williams ran a personal-best 9.23 in the 60-meter hurdle prelims but did not make the final cut. Tech swept the top three spots in the second heat of the women’s mile run, with Paige Kvartunas (5:04.73), Samantha Dow (5:04.91) and Jessica Trapeni (5:07.37) leading the way, good for ninth, 10th and 11th overall finishes, respectfully.

Kieran Lee earned Tech’s first victory of the day, securing the top spot in the men’s mile with a 4:18.48 finish. With a slew of Hokies in the race, Tech earned seven of the top ten spots, with Chris Walizer leading a seven-man pack, finishing fifth in 4:26.25. Sophomore Leigh Allin tied for second in the women’s pole vault, clearing 11-11.75 (3.65m). Lauren Lemieux won her heat in the women’s 1,000 meters at 3:03.09, placing her sixth overall in the event.

Senior Nick McLaughlin earned a victory in the final heat of the men’s 1,000 meters, placing third overall at 2:31.88. Fellow senior Jeff Miller finished just behind McLaughlin at 2:32.97, good for a fifth place finish. Natalie Woodford placed third in her heat, fourth overall, in the women’s 500 meters, crossing the line at 1:15.64. Jeffrey Artis-Gray, in his first competition as a Hokie, took fourth place in the men’s triple jump, leaping a best 49-1 (14.96m) in his second attempt.

In the final running event of the day, newcomer Zakiya Tyson was Tech’s highest finisher in the women’s 300 meters, placing fifth (39.47) just ahead of teammate Ogechi Nwaneri at eighth (39.77). Wrapping up Friday’s action was senior Joe Davis earning a win in the unseeded men’s pole vault, clearing a personal-best 17-0.75 (5.20m).

The Virginia Tech Invitational concludes tomorrow with events set to begin at 11 a.m.

For updates on Virginia Tech track & field, follow the Hokies on Twitter (@VT_Track).