BLACKSBURG, Va. - Julian Jackson ran the fastest indoor 400-meters by a VMI Keydet since 2010, and Renee Reives qualified for the ECAC Championships in the shot put to lead the VMI track and field programs on the last day of the Hokie Invitational, contested Saturday in Blacksburg, Va.
Jackson, after finishing fourth in the 300-meters on Friday night, finished 14th in the 400 on Saturday with a time of 49.67 seconds. It was the fastest indoor 400 by a Keydet since James Alexander ran a 48.77 at Akron in Feb. of 2010.
Other results on the men's side included Jordan White continuing his strong start to the year with a personal best in the shot put. White finished 13th with a best throw of 15.31 meters (50'2 3/4").
In addition, Aron Long finished 17th in the 200 with a time of 22.47 seconds.
On the women's side, it was Reives leading the way with a third-place finish in the shot, as she hurled the implement 13.63 meters (44'8 3/4") to qualify for March's ECAC Championships.
Saturday also saw freshmen Julia Logan, Kennedy Flynn and Kerisha Goode deliver notable results. Logan finished tied for seventh in the high jump, clearing 1.61 meters (5'3 1/4") to post the third-best mark in program history. Flynn was eighth in the 800-meters (2:23.11) and Goode finished 25th in the 200 at 26.01, just missing becoming the fourth Keydet to go under the 26-second mark in that event.
In addition, Thireyona Legg was 25th in the 400-meters, crossing the line in 59.61 seconds.
"I thought we had several good performances today," said VMI head coach Darrin Webb. "We will look to continue to improve during our off week, and come back ready for Youngstown State this first full weekend in February."
VMI track and field will return to action Feb. 6, when the Keydets open competition at the two-day YSU National College Invitational in Youngstown, Ohio.
