Track Teams Complete First Meet of the Season

Sunday, January 7

Virginia Beach, Va.

Hampton University

VCU Invitational

Photo by: Chris Brown - Breezyshots

1.7.24 | Men's Track (Indoor/Outdoor), Women's Track (Indoor/Outdoor)

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (January 7th, 2024) – The Pirates finished their first meet of the season at the VCU Invitational with great performances in both track and field events.

Track

Olakunle Akande kicked off the day for the men, winning the 60m hurdles in 8.12 seconds. In the men's 200m, freshman Antoine Spencer grabbed 1st (21.86), followed by Aiden Whyte in 2nd (21.91) and Qhiyal Towns in 4th (21.98). Towns also placed 2nd in the in the 60m (6.83). Two different 4x400m men's teams for Hampton finished 2nd and 3rd (3:20.53, 3:22.0)

On the women's side, freshman Arriah Gilmer won the 400m race (59.24) and senior Dejah Grant took 1st in the 500m (1:15.35). Anissa Bernard and Zionn Rice earned 2nd and 3rd in the 60m hurdles (8.80, 8.86). Kayla Spencer notched 2nd in the 800m (2:20.67) and Morgan Pruitt 3rd in the 200m (25.36). Jordan Mozie took 3rd in the 3k (10:27.85). The women's 4x400m relay team won first and consisted of Kimari Rountree, Tahja Peoples, Zionn Rice, Sydney Ellis (3:53.33).

Field

In both the shot put and the triple jump, the Lady Pirates dominated and took the top three spots. Oluwatomilayo Akintunde won the shot put (15.00m) and teammates Abria Smith and Nya Harmon followed. (14.93m, 14.76m). Jazlyn Jefferson took 1st in the triple jump (11.89m) and Nina Pitt and Anissa Bernard placed 2nd and 3rd (11.68m, 11.54m). Abria Smith also earned 2nd in the weight throw (17.28m) and Jazlyn Jefferson 3rd in the long jump (5.38m).

Fanon Miller took 3rd in the weight throw (13.53m) and Ellis Branch 4th in the triple jump (13.68m). Kelvin Fonville placed 4th in the long jump (6.81m).

"A good season opener for both teams," said Coach Pierce. "We got a lot accomplished today, however, we still have more work to do."

Up Next

The Pirates will return to action next Saturday in the HBCU Showcase in NYC.