The Virginia Wesleyan University women's track and field team turned in a strong all-around performance on senior day, highlighted by multiple event victories, personal-best marks, and several additions to the program's all-time top lists.
At the meet, the Virginia Wesleyan University men's track and field program honored its seven-member senior class, including: Ella Clingenpeel, Anisah Kersey, Lyric Hoggard, Jordan Hall, Opeyemi Kareem-Ojo, Jerry Watson, and Ryan Koval.
Leading the way on the track, freshman Ester Zar delivered an impressive performance in the 800 meters, capturing the event win with a personal-best time of 2:26.94. Senior Ella Clingenpeel followed with a dominant showing in the 1500 meters, winning the race in a personal-best 5:02.83, good for fifth all-time in program history. Clingenpeel's victory paced a strong distance group effort, while Abby Peck added a third-place finish in the 1500 (5:19.82) and a ninth-place showing in the 800.
In the sprints, Katelyn Griffin and Anisah Kersey both advanced through the 100-meter prelims and turned in personal-best performances in the finals, finishing fourth (13.18) and sixth (13.20), respectively. Kersey also notched a personal best in the 200 meters with a time of 27.53.
The field events proved to be a major strength for the Marlins. Zantia Durand headlined the group with a first-place finish in the javelin, launching a personal-best throw of 35.36 meters to move into second all-time in program history. Abigail Samples followed closely with a runner-up finish and a personal-best mark that ranks fifth all-time.
Virginia Wesleyan also dominated the shot put, where Mackenzie Swanson earned a second-place finish (11.80m) and Bailey Schottin placed third with a personal-best throw that now ranks seventh all-time. Schottin added personal-best performances in the discus and javelin, while Jade Turner recorded PRs across all three of her throwing events, including a seventh-place finish in the hammer throw.
In the jumps, Maria Plummer led the way with a third-place finish in the high jump (1.42m), while Griffin and freshman Alani Hampton each cleared 1.37 meters. Hampton continued her strong day with personal-best marks in both the long jump (4.92m), which ranks ninth all-time, and the triple jump.
