Joseph, Pocratsky take home titles from Nashville

The Hokie duo wins the 800 meters and mile

February 10, 2018

Tiger Paw Invitational Results | Tyson Invitational Results | Music City Challenge Results

Redshirt senior Patrick Joseph and junior Rachel Pocratsky earned event titles at the Music City Challenge on Vanderbilt’s campus in Nashville, Tennessee, highlighting Virginia Tech track and field on Saturday.

Another school record fell on the indoor season, as Pocratsky clocked a time of 4 minutes, 34.01 seconds in the mile. It marked the fastest time in school history, passing Shannon Morton’s record that was set in 2016. The time is No. 5 in the country, and reset the Vanderbilt Multipurpose Facility record.

Sophomores Sarah Edwards (4:42.31) and Laurie Barton (4:46.24) were close behind, placing third and seventh in the event. Edwards’ time was the seventh-fastest time in program history.

In the 800 meters, Shannon Quinn (2:09.24) and Katie Kennedy (2:09.35) turned in personal bests and placed seventh and eighth, respectively.

“Our women really competed well today,” distance coach Ben Thomas commented. “Rachel’s 4:34.01 was very impressive and Edwards and Barton had PRs behind her. I think they’re just starting to figure out how to race the mile, there’s definitely more there for all three.

“The 5K girls all had personal bests in the 5K as well. We’re right where we need to be, and they’re excited for ACCs!”

Joseph, a Leesburg, Virginia native, crossed the finish line in 1:49.40 in the 800-meter run, leading a group of Hokies. Neil Gourley was right behind, placing second (1:49.57), Vincent Ciattei (1:51.07) took fourth and Diego Zarate (1:51.96) finished eighth.

“Men also ran well. Joseph and Gourley and the mid guys got some good speed work in. They are very excited for the championships season!”

In just her second meet during the indoor season in the weight throw, Pavla Kuklova threw a mark of 18.45 meters (60 feet, 6.5 inches) to place seventh. The mark was a personal best by north of a foot.

“It’s great to see Pavla improve again this week,” throws coach Andrew Dubs said. “This will set her up well heading into the ACC Championships in two weeks.

“I thought after her opening throw today, she started chasing the mark and she lost some rhythm. We will make the adjustment and work on a few small things, but all signs are pointing in the right direction heading into the championship.”

At the Tiger Paw Invitational in the 200 meters, Caitlan Tate posted a lifetime best with a time of 23.96. On the men’s side in the same event, Jared Bane and Michael Davenport recorded the best times for the Hokies, crossing the line in 21.72 and 21.79.

The 4x400-meter relays on both sides tallied season-best times, as the women’s group went 3:41.26 and the men’s squad had a time of 3:13.41.

“Caitlan had another great day, running another personal best in the 200 meters and a 54.2 split in the 4x4,” sprints/hurdles coach Tim Vaught mentioned. “Courtney ran an ACC qualifier for the 200. Both 4x4’s had a season best, and the women’s team doing without Courtney Blanden.

“The relay consists of Arlicia Bush, Caitlan Tate, Nora McKiver and Kennedy Dennis. We have two weeks to tone up for ACCs.”

Lisa Gunnarsson’s incredible run of winning every pole vault event she has competed in at the college level came to an end at the Tyson Invitational at Arkansas, however, the freshman still placed third in a stacked field with a vault of 4.41 meters (14 feet, 5.5 inches).

“Lisa had one very close attempt at another school record, 4.51 meters,” pole vault coach Bob Phillips shared. “The whole squad now needs to really put in some hard work these next two weeks before the conference championships.”

Next up for Tech will mark the final regular-season meet of the indoor season, before it goes to the ACC Indoor Championships at Clemson from Feb. 22-24.

PERSONAL BESTS

W 200
Caitlan Tate, 23.96

W 800
Shannon Quinn, 2:09.24
Katie Kennedy, 2:09.35

M Mile
Andre Goldman, 4:07.16

W Mile
Rachel Pocratsky, 4:34.01
Sarah Edwards, 4:46.24
Laurie Barton, 4:46.24
Ellie Brush, 5:04.54

M 3,000m
Jack Joyce, 8:12.99
Fitsum Seyoum, 8:24.57

W Weight Throw
Pavla Kuklova, 18.45m (60’6.5”)

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