YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Avery Martin posted his third IC4A qualifying time of the year and second win of the weekend, while Joel Hoisington moved into the SoCon lead in the shot put as the VMI men's track and field team wrapped up competition at the YSU National Invitational, contested Saturday in Youngstown, Ohio.
Martin bested the field in his event for the second straight day, winning the mile one day after setting a new facility record in the 1K. On Saturday, he timed in at 4:09.90 to take the mile title and move to fourth in the SoCon in this event. He also ranks first in the 800, and added an IC4A mile qualifying time to his senior season resume as well. Jay Broom was sixth in 4:17.38.
The shot put continued to be a major story in VMI's season as well, with Hoisington finishing second in the event Saturday. His 16.30 meter (53'5 3/4") allowed him to pass teammate Jordan White for the conference lead in the event. White finished third at 16.26 M/53'4 1/4".
The 200-meters was another event kind to the Keydets, as VMI finished third, sixth and eighth in the event. Aron Long led the way with a 22.08 time and third-place result, while Pete Reed was sixth (22.20) and Greg Henderson finished eighth in 22.50. The time marked Reed's first career individual IC4A qualifying effort, and VMI now ranks 1-4-7 in the SoCon in this event, with Long leading the way.
Henderson and Reed were also successful in the 60-meters, where Henderson was second in 6.99 seconds and Reed finished fourth in 7.01. Other results included Lee Warren winning the 60-meter hurdles in 8.28 and Mandela Kabi finishing seventh in the triple jump (13.52 M/44'4 1/4").
Finally, Grant Holmes was fourth in the pole vault (4.60 M/15'1") and Andrew Arlint was sixth (4.45 M/14'7 1/4"). Brian Donna finished fourth in the heptathlon with 4,359 points, while Desmond Weinberg-Jones was fifth with 4,267 markers.
"I thought both of our teams were outstanding this weekend, as they combined for over 40 seasonal bests," said VMI head coach Darrin Webb. "Our throwers continue to be outstanding, led today by Joel Hoisington, and Avery Martin has been solid all year. We will look to continue to build on this as we go to Winston-Salem next week."
VMI track and field will return to action Thursday, when the Keydets take part in the High Point Team Invitational at the JDL Fast Track in Winston-Salem, N.C.
