Barton, Joseph, Pocratsky claim first place at VMI

Trio of distance runners start season on high note

January 20, 2018

Clemson Invitational Results | Gladstein Invitational Results | Keydet Invitational Results

Three first-place finishes by Laurie Barton, Patrick Joseph and Rachel Pocratsky and numerous personal bests headlined the Virginia Tech track and field teams’ performances at the Clemson, Gladstein and Keydet Invites on Saturday.

The Hokies combined to own eight top-three finishes at the three meets. The Clemson Invitational was hosted by Clemson at the Clemson Indoor Track & Field Complex, Indiana played host to the Gladstein Invitational inside Harry Gladstein Fieldhouse and on the campus of VMI was the Keydet Invitational at the Corps Physical Training Facility.

The distance group set it sights high for its opening weekend meet of the season, and did not disappoint at the Keydet Invitational, having 11 top-five finishers. Joseph, a redshirt senior, crossed the finish line in 8 minutes, 13.04 seconds in the 3,000 meters, leading a contingent of Hokies. Fellow redshirt seniors Vincent Ciattei (8:14.86) and Neil Gourley (8:16.63) took second and third place, and redshirt sophomore Diego Zarate finished fourth (8:18.05).

The mile was similar, with Daniel Jaskowak (4:07.48) and Jack Joyce (4:08.67) going 3-4. Redshirt-sophomore Peter Seufer tallied a time of 4:12.31 to place sixth, and three Hokies followed in Brent Musselman (4:14.45), Owen Buck (4:20.49) and Fitsum Seyoum (4:20.59). In total, six Hokies placed in the top nine.

In the 800 meters, freshman Thierry Siewe Yanga earned fourth place with a personal best of 1:59.33. On the women’s side in the same event, Barton clocked a time of 2:12.71 for the win and junior Shannon Quinn was right behind for second (2:13.48).

Pocratsky put together a PR (4:44.83) in the mile on her way to a first-place finish, and sophomore Sarah Edwards crossed the finish line two seconds later to finish runner-up.

“Good start overall,” distance coach Ben Thomas said. “First meets are always a mix of some bad, some ugly. But regardless of performance, I thought the focus and effort was good all around today.

“Great start for Patrick, Neil and Vincent. Diego had a nice run, too. I’m very excited about where Pocratsky and Edwards are as well. If we maintain the consistency of training we’re doing now, we should be ready to put up a good fight at ACCs and beyond.”

Freshman Kennedy Dennis again led the sprints squad at Clemson, tallying a time of 24.25 to finish 10^th in the 200. Amanda Thomas placed in the top-eight for the second time this season, finishing eighth with a PR time of 1:33.69 in the 600.

Among the best sprinters in Division I, senior Greg Chiles rose to the occasion and compiled a time of 21.36 in the 200, finishing fourth.

“Solid day on No. 2," sprints coach Tim Vaught shared. "Kennedy Dennis came back on the second day with a personal best in the 200 meters. She’s really going to be very good in the future. Caitlan Tate also followed up with a personal 200 indoor best (24.49). Nora McKiver had a good opener in the 200 with a time of 24.43, which is her fastest opener. Amanda Thomas had a strong race in the 600 (1:33.69), a personal best.

“On the men’s side, Greg Chiles led the way with his fastest 200 opener of 21.36. He’s looking very good at this point of the season. Jared Bane had a very solid day running (21.69), a personal best as well in the 200. Overall, we had a very positive meet.

“Ama-Selina Tchume had a good day in the long jump yesterday, which was only her second jump in college (18 feet, 6 inches). I’m looking forward to seeing her full potential in this event.”

At the Gladstein Invitational, the duo of Matthew Manilli and Mackenzie Muldoon competed in the long jump. Manilli, a freshman, set a career-high mark of 6.87 meters (22 ft., 6.5 in.) to place fifth, while Muldoon again notched a top-eight finish, placing eighth with a jump of 6.73 meters (22 ft., 1 in.).

PERSONAL BESTS

M Mile
Jack Joyce, 4:08.67
Owen Buck, 4:20.49

W Mile
Rachel Pocratsky, 4:44.83
Sarah Edwards, 4:46.81
Lauren Berman, 4:50.38

M 800
Thierry Siewe Yanga, 1:55.32
Dave Whitfield, 1:59.33

W 800
Alyssa Shupe, 2:18.06
Ellie Brush, 2:20.79

M 3,000
Patrick Joseph, 8:13.04
Vincent Ciattei, 8:14.86
Diego Zarate, 8:18.05
Ben Fleming (unattached), 8:25.23
Bashir Mosavel-Lo (unattached), 8:32.58
Will Griffen (unattached), 8:38.71
Zachary Witt (unattached), 8:39.73
Osman Humeida (unattached), 8:44.96

W 200
Kennedy Dennis, 24.25
Caitlan Tate, 24.49

M 200
Jared Bane, 21.69
Joseph Tay
Brandon Thomas
Matthew Baker
Jack Strollo
Alex Davenport

W 600
Amanda Thomas, 1:33.69

M Long Jump
Matthew Manilli, 6.87m (22’6.50”)

W Long Jump
Ama-Selina Tchume, 5.63m (18'6")

For updates on Virginia Tech track & field, follow the Hokies on Twitter Follow @HokiesTFXC