Complete Results

LEXINGTON, Va. – Looking for continued momentum and qualifying marks, the VMI track and field teams showed well by earning a new facility record in the 800 meter and notching several other postseason qualifiers Saturday at the Corps Physical Training Facility.
 
Senior Jahanzib Shahbaz highlighted the day for the team by placing first in the 800 meter in 1:52.31, a new facility record for the event to beat the former best time of 1:52.93 held by Stefano Migliorati of East Carolina set in 2019. The time is also an IC4A qualifier and is presently the top time in the Southern Conference for the event.
 
Senior James Granderson had excellent performances in both the long jump and the 60-meter hurdles as he came in second in the long jump at 6.73 meters and placed third in the 60hh in 8.28 seconds, an IC4A qualifier.
 
"We had multiple first-place finishes and some really good performances this weekend," said VMI head coach Darrin Webb. "Winning both the men's and women's pole vault, and (Sarah) Leckman winning both the shot put and the weight is all great.
 
"Jahanzib's performance this weekend is really the one that will grab your attention. He won the 800m (1:52.31), the 1000m (2:25.54), which are both facility records.  The 800 is the leading time in the conference, and the 1000m missed the school record by .08 seconds. I'm really happy for him, and I know he will continue to work as this is so early in the season.  I am excited about what he and the rest of the middle distance group will accomplish over both the remainder of indoor and into the outdoor season."
 
Griffin Kowal placed first in the men's pole vault at a height of 4.65 meters, while Daniel Usher came in sixth in the men's shot put with a distance of 14.25 meters. Sophomore Solomon Ghosh ended up in seventh in the shot put at 14.03 meters.
 
In the women's shot put, Leckman again dominated the field by placing first with a distance of 13.04 meters. Teammate Maura Logan was close behind in fifth place at 11.71 meters for the event.
 
Junior Ariana Ruffin performed well in both the 60 meter finals as well as the 200 meter. In the 60m, she finished in sixth in 7.90 seconds and arrived in fifth in the 200m with a time of 25.52 seconds. Teammate Ingrid Joseph also showed well in the 200m by arriving in sixth in 25.62 seconds. On the men's side, sophomore Jordin Poindexter completed his day placing seventh in the 60-meter finals with a time of. 7.01 seconds.
 
In the men's 3000 meter, senior Justin Adams finished in fourth overall in 8:55.22 just before junior Walt Kitson crossed the line in fifth in 8:55.44. Carlos Fernandes placed eighth overall in 9:00.71.
 
The men's 4x400 meter relay completed the day at the CPTF where Jonathan Gray, Poindexter, Adam Waite and Rafael Mas came in second overall in 3:22.33.
 
VMI track and field resumes competition next weekend by hosting the VMI Indoor Classic from February 14-15 at the CPTF.

Sophomore Max Burke finished in sixth place in the heptathlon after compiling 3969 points for the seven events.