Caitlin Dorsch ~ Copy Desk Chief
On Friday, March 15, 2019 and Saturday, March 16, 2019, the men’s and women’s track and field programs competed in the Alan Connie Shamrock Invitational in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. In total, the programs set nine new records within the top 10 all-time leaderboard as well as a few top marks, according to the current marks in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC).
For the women, sophomore, Kaitlyn Johnson added to her long list of achievements on Saturday by winning the women’s 5,000-meter run event by a time of 17:33:96, breaking the previous Hornet record by more than 25 seconds. Senior, Madeline Van Aken became seventh all-time in the Hornet record books for triple jump, matching her indoor personal best of 11-11 3/4, the current top mark in the ODAC this season and the team’s outdoor women’s pole vault record. Freshman, Lizzie Davis and senior, Endasia Mitchell tied for ninth in high jump at the meet, also tying the ninth best Hornet program mark with 5-1.
For the men, freshman, Alex Shadkhoo became third all-time in the Hornet’s record books in the 100-meter dash by a score of 10.77 seconds. Junior, Reid Sharkey finished fourth in the 5,000-meter run by a time of 15:07:7, the third fastest time in Lynchburg’s history. And, junior, Kevin Moran set a new personal record and become eighth-best all-time in Lynchburg history in the 110-meter and 400-meter hurdles, both becoming the current top times in the ODAC this season.
Sophomore, Angela Ramsedan said, “The spring break trip was an awesome experience and one not many sports teams get a chance to do. A lot of people were unprepared for the sun and got sunburnt, but what I think the team was most unprepared for was how close this trip would make us as a whole. During this trip, we lived in condos together and had to cook, clean, and hangout with each other for a full week. The activities that we did as a team on the beach and around the condos helped create a fun and enjoyable atmosphere that brought us together more so than anything else we have ever done.”
The strengthening of team culture that Ramsedan mentioned was also noted by Johnson when she explained, “training with the team in a setting such as Myrtle Beach bought the team closer together. We became stronger team, one that is extremely supportive of one another that is a family.”
The U of L Hornets continue their regular outdoor season campaign at home this Friday, March 22, 2019, and Saturday, March 23, 2019, in the Dr. Jack M. Toms Alumni Invitational. This is an amazing opportunity to come out to cheer on both the men’s and women’s Hornets teams.
