YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Avery Martin shattered the school record in a winning 1,000-meter effort, while Bria Anderson broke the VMI mark in the long jump to lead the VMI track and field programs Friday on the opening day of the YSU National Invitational, contested in Youngstown, Ohio.
Martin clocked in at 2:25.45 to win the 1K Friday, beating the previous school record of 2:27.80 that had belonged to Jud Springer since 1984. The time was an IC4A qualifier and also a new facility record, some two seconds better than the old mark, and Martin bested a field that included teammate Micah Ellington, who finished fifth (2:35.60).
For the third straight meet, Jordan White turned in a big performance for the Keydets as well. White finished third in the weight throw, posting a PR of 18.71 meters (61'4 3/4"). He continues to rank second in the SoCon in the event, although he did distance himself even further from the third-ranked competitor entering the weekend.
Other men's results of note included Daniel DeNijs' fifth-place finish in the 5,000-meters (14:51.18), which was the third-fastest indoor 5K in school history, and the heptathlon effort of Killian Carey, who ranks fifth among 14 remaining competitors heading to the final day of competition.
On the women's side, it was Anderson leading the way with a second-place finish in the long jump. Anderson broke the school record, previously set by Ashley West in 2008, on her first leap (5.69 M), but her second effort of 5.71 meters (18'9") was her best of the day and is the new VMI best. It also punched her ticket to the ECAC Championships.
Other women's results included Julia Logan finishing fifth in her first career pentathlon (2794 points) and Bethany King and Kennedy Flynn finishing seventh and eighth, respectively, in the 1K (3:04.32/3:06.90).
"Avery Martin and Bria Anderson were outstanding today," said VMI head coach Darrin Webb. "Bria now holds both the indoor and outdoor school records in the long jump, and Avery broke one of the older indoor school records for the men. We had other great performances this afternoon as well, and I look forward to seeing even more tomorrow."
VMI track and field will return to action Saturday, when the Keydets take part in the final day of the YSU Invitational in Youngstown. Action gets underway at 10 a.m.
