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LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Virginia Tech pole vaulters kicked off the 2008-09 indoor track and field season strongly on Thursday, as freshman Abby Schaffer captured the pole vault title for the Hokie women, and junior Yavgeniy Olhovsky won the event for the men at the Liberty Kickoff at the Tolsma Indoor Track Complex in Lynchburg, Va.

In her first collegiate competition, Schaffer showed why she was one of the top pole vault recruits in the country last year, coming out of Easton Area High school in Easton, Pa. Schaffer cleared 12-09.50 for the victory in the event. Junior Elise Birnbaum vaulted 11-09.75 to take third in the competition. Junior Caitlin Thornley earned fifth with a clearance of 11-03.75.

The Hokies finished one-two-three in the men’s pole vault competition. Olhovsky, a 2008 All-American in the event, continued where he left off in last season, clearing 17-00.75 for the gold medal. Sophomore Jonathan Hall placed second, followed by junior Jared Jodon in third. Hall and Jodon vaulted 16-06.75 and 16-02.75, respectively. Sophomore Mike Miller placed fifth with a clearance of 14-03.25.

Former Hokies Erin Mahony and Adam Bingaman both fared well at the meet competing for Vertical Technique. Mahony took second in the women's pole vault, with a 12-03.50 effort, while Bingaman earned fourth, clearing 15-03.00 on the men's side.

Tech continues the first weekend of track and field action, as 2008 cross country All-American Tasmin Fanning and 2008 NCAA Outdoor Championships qualifier Natalie Sherbak compete in the 3,000-meter run at the Appalachian Invitational on Saturday. Results will be posted on hokiesports.com following the meet.

For updates on Virginia Tech track & field, follow the Hokies on Twitter (@VT_Track).