WASHINGTON – Georgetown University's track & field program concluded competition on Saturday, February 15, at the David Hemery Valentine Invitational in Boston, Massachusetts, and at the Tiger Paw Invitational in Clemson, South Carolina.
Tinoda Matsatsa, Melissa Riggins and Lucy Jenks delivered record-breaking performances, etching their names in collegiate history. Matsatsa set a new BU facility record in the men's 800, posting an impressive 1:45.21 to climb to No. 3 on the NCAA all-time list. Meanwhile, Riggins made her mark in the mile, recording a 4:24.98—the fifth-fastest collegiate indoor mile.
"Certainly had some stellar performances from our Mid & Distance Men & Women in Boston this weekend. What an incredible run by Tinoda Matsatsa in his 1st 800m of the season running 1:45.21, which is the third fastest all-time in the NCAA. Every time he steps on the track he's rewriting GU's record books and has cemented himself into being a bright star in middle distance running in the country. Huge Congrats also to Melissa Riggins for running the 5th fastest time by a collegian along with Lucy Jenks with that 15:15.58 in the 5K; shattering our GU Indoor School Records in both events. Congrats are in order to Coach Bonsey & Coach Baker for having their charges ready to produce these extraordinary performances. Highlight at the Tiger Paw Invitational came from Rebecca Ochan. Though she just missed breaking the school record in the 200m, Rebeca continues to have an impressive season. Her 23.83 is another PB and added to her 54.60 PB the day prior in the 400m highlighting her versatility across all sprint events. So much more in-store as we look forward to next week to attempt getting our DMR teams qualified for the NCAA Championships." - Head Coach Alton McKenzie
"Tinoda Matsatsa ran one of the best races in Georgetown history. He's now the third fastest collegiate ever and fastest American born collegiate ever. He's had an outstanding season thus far and I can't wait to see what the rest of the season has in store for him." - Assistant Coach Brandon Bonsey
"Melissa Riggins' fantastic Mile racing was rewarded with a monster four-second PR to grab the number-5 spot - 3rd American - on the NCAA All-Time List. She was exceptional at NCAA track meets last year but today she got a chance to be pulled along and run a different way; her growth as a racer was up to the challenge. It will be exciting to see how these new skills affect her postseason. Scrimgeour and Jenks were absolutely incredible in the 5k. Scrimgeour did the heavy lifting in the back half of the race leading a batch of professional runners and Jenks - in her final season of eligibility - benefitted from that hard rhythm closing down at the end to land #16 on the NCAA All-Time list and top-10 American collegian in history. Scrimgeour crossed as the next collegiate finisher in what is an exciting return to form after missing significant time in the fall. They're both poised for elite finishes to the winter." - Assistant Coach Mitchell Baker
RESULTS
Georgetown Men's Results - David Hemery Valentine Invitational
- Men's 800: Matsatsa set a new BU facility record in the event, clocking 1:45.21 to rise to No. 3 on the NCAA all-time list.
- Men's 5000: Birhanu Harriman ran a 13:46.44.
Georgetown Men's Results - Tiger Paw Invitational
Georgetown Women's Results - David Hemery Valentine Invitational
- Women's 1000: Charlotte Bell finished the event in second with a time of 2:44.51.
- Women's Mile: Riggins recorded the fifth-fastest collegiate indoor mile in history, finishing in 4:24.98.
- Women's 5000: Jenks ran a 15:15.58 in the event to place fifth and shatter the school record. Chloe Scrimgeour followed in tenth with a time of 15:22.85
Georgetown Women's Results - Tiger Paw Invitational
- Women's 400: Rebecca Ochan ran a 54.60.
- Women's 200: Ochan finished the race in 12th with a time of 23.83.
Up Next
GU will head to the Terrier DMR Challenge hosted by Boston University on February 21. A link to live stats will be available on GUHoyas.com.
