LEXINGTON, Va. - The VMI track and field programs will host the annual VMI Winter Relays this Saturday, Feb. 5 at Cormack Field House in Lexington. Admission is free to the all-day event, with approximately 12 schools, plus unattached and post-collegiate athletes, scheduled to compete.
The Keydets come off a solid showing at last weekend's Liberty Open, which saw three VMI men post IC4A qualifying marks. Chad Lawson advanced to Boston in the weight throw, qualifying for the third straight year, Antonio Wood won the heptathlon for his first collegiate win, and qualified for the IC4A Championships in the process, and Felix Kitur won the 1,000-meters and qualified for the IC4A's as well.
For the Keydet women, Molly Western (800-meters) and Leah Schubel (mile) both placed sixth in their respective events. Western posted a seven-second personal best in her race.
Events to watch
Women's Weight Throw, 8:30 a.m. (following men's)
VMI senior Aquisi Harris has won this event with a personal best throw for two straight seasons, but will be challenged by Ashley Allen of Lynchburg College, among others. Allen is the Hornets' school record holder in this event, having just broken a seven-year old mark in early December. Fellow senior Laura Resetar, freshman Mary Grace Lemon and sophomore Kelsey McCusker are also scheduled to compete.
Men's 55-meter Dash, 10:40 a.m. (prelims) and 12:25 p.m. (finals)
James
Alexander and one of the newest Keydets, Gabe Itoka, will take to the
track in this race. They will face a field that includes a
post-collegiate top seed, Cyrus Wesley, and Tremaybe Graham of
Richmond, who was eighth in the 100 at last year's A-10 Outdoor
Championships.This will be just Itoka's second collegiate track and field race, after the former VMI football running back made his debut last weekend at Liberty.
Men's Shot Put, Noon (estimated time, will begin following women's weight throw)
Another Keydet senior, Cody Davis, is the story here. Davis comes off a fourth-place finish at last week's Liberty Open, and is seeded nearly two meters ahead of the closest seed mark to him, that of Ahmad Garrison of Livingstone. The VMI standout hopes to continue to round into form, and post his first IC4A qualifying mark of the year on Saturday.
Women's Pole Vault, Noon
After traveling to Reno, Nev. for the prestigious Pole Vault Summit last weekend, the Keydet pole vault foursome will look to challenge the school record at home this weekend. Both Kate Collins and Jennifer Sing are seeded at the record, 3.50 meters, while Nicole Harding, coming off a college-best effort at the Summit is just behind at 3.40 M. Toss in Carrie Wortham, and the Keydets could sweep the top four spots in the competition.
Women's 800-meter Run, 1:40 p.m.
Freshman Western, after that seven-second PR last weekend, will look to improve even further Saturday afternoon. She enters with the third-best seed mark, but Andi Defonce of Richmond is the overwhelming favorite, seeded nearly four seconds ahead of her closest competitor. Defonce was 10th in the A-10 last year. Also running in the 800 for the Keydets will be Dalton Kuhar and Hannah Best, giving VMI an opportunity for three finishers in the top 10.
