WASHINGTON – The Georgetown men's and women's track & field teams competed in the Valentine Invitational and the Kenneth Giles Invitational this past weekend in Boston, Massachusetts and Virginia Beach, Virginia, respectively. This was the second weekend in a row of split sites for the squads and the second weekend of Hoyas continuing to break GU school records and move up in the NCAA rankings. 

WOMEN'S HIGHLIGHTS

• Starting Friday evening at the Valentine Invitational, freshman Melissa Riggins earned herself a new PR in the 800 meter with a time of 2:05.39. She is now the ninth all-time fastest in Georgetown school history in the 800 meter.

• Sami Corman had a new PR of 4:36.52 in the Mile Friday night. Corman is now the seventh all-time fastest in Georgetown school history and 22nd fastest in the NCAA.

• Maggie Donahue broke the GU school record in the 5K at the Valentine Invitational (15:45.98). She moves up to the 21st fastest in the NCAA in the 5K. 

• All 11 Women competing at the Valentine Invitational came away with PR's in their events. 

• The women put in work on Saturday at the Kenneth Giles Invitational with four top-three finishes and an additional three athletes placing in the top-ten in their events.

• KC Ashiogwu took first place in the 400 meter dash with a time of 56.03. 

• Renee Newton ran the 800 meter run in 2:13.95 earning herself first place.

• Eni Akinniyi placed third in the triple jump with a mark of 12.09m.

• Renee Newton, Maya Drayton, Rebecca Ochan and Grace Smiechowski finished third in the 4x400 meter relay with a time of 3:50.05.

• Chloe Williams finished sixth in the long jump (5.51m), Drayton came in sixth in the 200 meter dash (24.48), and Grace Sciechowski placed seventh in the 400 meter dash (59.83).

MEN'S HIGHLIGHTS

• The Hoyas had two more athletes joining the sub-four mile club on Saturday at the Valentine Invitational. Parker Stokes ran a 3:58.02 mile to place fifth as Jack Salisbury was right behind him running a 3:58.17 mile finishing in sixth.

• The Hoyas had two men under 1:50.00 in the 800m at the Valentine Invitational with Tim McInerney running a personal best 1:49.34 to win his heat and finish 7th overall. Ethan Delgado also ran a personal best of 1:49.80 seconds.

• Matt Young ran in the 5K at the Valentine Invitational. His time of 13:39.59 ranks him as third all-time fastest time in Georgetown school history. 

• The men had two top-three finishes and three top-ten finishes at the Kenneth Giles Invitational. 

• Joshua Paige placed third in the 200 meter dash (21.07) setting another school record in the event. 

Director of Track & Field Alton McKenzie 
"We had some very competitive performances this weekend in VA Beach with a few individual event and heat wins and several personal and seasonal bests. Josh Paige continues to lower his 200m school record (21.07) and his consistency will be rewarded with a breakout performance soon enough. I was happy to see Renee Newton get a collegiate win in a dominant performance in the 800m (2:13.95) running a personal best, as well as KC Ashiogwu in the 400m (56.01) who also had a convincing win. Maya Drayton had a good showing in the 200m (24.48) and an exceptional leg on the 4x400 (55.1) and is improving at the right time of the season. Eni's 39'8" performance in the women's triple jump bodes well for what's to come.  Overall, I was very pleased with the effort from the group and we're in a good place as we head into the championship portion of the season. We had exceptional performances in Boston as well and look forward to having the entire team competing together as championship season approaches."

Assistant Coach for Track & Field Brandon Bonsey

"I think this meet showed how much depth we have on the men's middle distance and distance side. This season we've had four guys break 1:50 in the 800m, four guys run 3:58 or faster in the Mile and now five guys at 14:01 or faster in the 5,000m. That's some serious depth. Matt Young ran a great race to run one of the fastest 5K's in Georgetown history. Parker Stokes bounced back from an off race last week to run a mile PR. Had he been in a faster heat I have no doubt that Parker would run a lot faster."

Track & Field Assistant Coach Mitchell Baker

"We identified some ways to improve off of our first few races as a women's middle and long distance event group. They did a really solid job of taking ownership of those adjustments. To see eight of the 11 women racing for, or winning their sections, and all 11 setting personal records, was a testament to their commitment to becoming better racers and better athletes. I'm excited for the remainder of the winter and what that commitment to growth can mean for our spring seasons."

Valentine Invitational results here.

Kenneth Giles results here.

UP NEXT:

The Hoyas are on the road to North Carolina on February 18 for the JDL DMR Invitational.