WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Two impressive program records highlighted competition by Virginia Wesleyan College's Marlins in the opening outdoor track and field meet of the 2015 season at Wake Forest University.
Sophomore Nikki Burns (Swedesboro, N.J./Kingsway Regional) and rookie Marissa Coombs (Newton, N.J./Kittatinny Regional)emerged with the new marks for the Marlins in the Division I dominated Wake Forest Open at Kentner Stadium. Burns did it in the field events, while Coombs stood out on the running side.
Burns wiped out a standard set by Rhiannon McFerren in 2009 in the javelin throw. McFerren threw it a distance of 85-feet, 5-inches, but Burns recorded a throw of 122-6 to place 11th in a field of 37. Her time is also currently the 19th best in the nation. Burns was the highest placing Division III athlete in the event, which included competitors from the University of Pittsburgh, Ohio University, Wright State University, and Appalachian State University.
Coombs placed third in the 1,500 meter run (B section), trailing only two runners from Wright State and Wake Forest. She clocked a final time of 4:49.80, erasing the VWC record of 4:54.67 set by Emma Helsel in 2012. Coombs time ranks No. 20 nationally. Fifty-seven runners competed in the section of the race.
Senior Dan Elmore (Warrenton/Fauquier), the Virginia Wesleyan record holder in the 400 meter dash (50.11), started the new season with a time of 50.54 in the event at Wake Forest. He placed 37th in a field of 103 runners. Elmore recorded the second fastest time of any Division III runner in the event, and sophomore Trey White (Spotsylvania/Courtland) was third with a time of 50.85.
One of the best times of the day for the Marlins was recorded by the 4x400 relay in men's competition. The quartet of Aires Reyes (Alexandria/St. Stephens and St. Agnes), Marquis Sivels (Moyock, N.C./Norfolk Christian), White, and Elmore combined to produce a time of 3:21.72, which is currently the sixth fastest in the nation.
Virginia Wesleyan will compete again on Friday, March 27, and Saturday, March 28 at Bridgewater College in the Dr. Harry GM Jopson Invitational.
Complete Wake Forest Open results
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