BLACKSBURG, Va. – The VMI track and field team opened the Virginia Tech Challenge with impressive marks Friday at Rector Field House in Blacksburg, Virginia.

In the women's 200-meter dash, sophomore Ariana Ruffin scored a lifetime best mark of 25.26 seconds for sixth place in the race. Teammate Eliza Brooks followed closely behind in 10th place in 25.76 for the same event.

In the women's 60-meter dash, Ingrid Joseph earned a solid mark in the preliminaries by placing 11th overall in 7.96 seconds.

Men's sprinter James Granderson placed fifth in the 60-meter hurdles prelims in 8.69 seconds then improved in the final by securing second place overall in 8.55 seconds.

Men's distance runner Justin Adams enjoyed a first-place finish in the 5,000-meter run in 15:40.24.

Both the VMI men and women performed well in the weight throw competition as the men were led by Daniel Usher's sixth-place distance of 14.73 meters. Sydney Haws led the VMI women in the event with an eighth-place mark of 14.6 meters.

Mid-distance runner Jahanzib Shahbaz finished the 800-meter run in 1:56.20 for fifth place overall.

The Keydets resume competition Saturday at the Virginia Tech Challenge with the first event scheduled for 11 a.m.