Kessler ties school record in women’s pole vault

BLACKSBURG, Va. (Jan. 24, 2015) – On day two at the Hokie Invitational inside Rector Field House on the Virginia Tech campus,  the ETSU track & field program had a few notable performances including capturing the distance medley relay event title on the men’s side, and Ashley Kessler (Knoxville, Tenn.) matching the ETSU school record in the women’s pole vault.

The squad of Angus Baldwin (Tumbi Umbi, Australia), A’Darrius Sanders (Knoxville, Tenn.), Thomas Miller (Lithonia, Ga.) and Matt Warriner (Maryville, Tenn.) turned in an impressive performance on Saturday in a field of competition featuring six additional teams. In the men’s distance medley relay, the quartet raced to a time of 10:03.15; just ahead of second-place Duke who trailed with a 10:03.26 time.

On the women’s side, sophomore jumper Kessler turned in one of the best showings in school history in the indoor women’s pole vault. In a seeded event featuring some of the region’s best, the underclassman registered an ETSU record-matching mark of 3.80 meters. The standing record was set last season by Katerina Vodova at the Hilton Garden Innvitational.

Additionally, another young Buc had a strong showing with freshman jumper Timia Easley (Columbus, Ohio) posting a mark of 5.69 meters in the women’s long jump. This leap was good for sixth place out more than 30 participants in the event.

Comments from ETSU Director of Track & Field George Watts

"We had a solid day of performances and overall I feel it was a successful weekend. Our winners included Dede Edgecombe in the 60 meter hurdles yesterday and a down to the wire win in the men's distance medley. Our jumpers had a very good meet with Ashley Kessler tying the indoor school record in the women's pole vault and a nice improvement for Brett Squibbs in the men's vault. Brett had a couple of nice attempts at what would be a new school record. I feel confident he can break his school record this season."

"Nicole Alexander has shown great improvement in the triple jump and has moved up into the top five in the conference. Freshman Timia Easley opened up in her first meet of her college career and did not disappoint."

"Along with the DMR victory Thomas Miller led the way for the middle distance group with a runner-up spot in the 600m and a leg on the winning DMR."

"We had several more fine improvements and personal bests that are hidden throughout the results. I am pleased with the progress we've made between our first two meets."

The indoor season will continue next weekend for the ETSU track & field program at the Hilton Garden Innvitational in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.  

For more information about ETSU track & field, please visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the track & field links.

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