The University of Delaware track and field team participated in the Virginia Challenge, hosted by the University of Virginia from April 16 to 18.
The event provided an opportunity for athletes to achieve personal bests and improve their standings. Several members of the team placed among the top competitors in their respective events.
Rachel Starr finished fifth in the 5,000 meter run with a time of 17:07.25, which is her new personal best and ranks tenth all-time in program history. Olamide Ayeni secured fourth place in the discus throw with a mark of 52.91 meters. Taylor Stone was fifth in the high jump at 1.62 meters and also led Blue Hens finishers in the 100 hurdles with a time of 15.00 seconds.
Other notable performances included Annika Leineweber placing fifth in the 10,000 meter run at 37:16.50, Libby DeMichele finishing eighth in the 3,000 meter steeplechase at 11:46.96, Rachel Schmitt taking ninth place in javelin throw with a distance of 43.35 meters, Kadence Dumas earning tenth place in the invitational section of the women’s 800 meters at 2:07.34, and Lauren Leath coming tenth in the women’s 400 meter hurdles at a time of 1:01.46.
Top finishers for Delaware also included Sophia Axelrod (hammer throw – 53.20 meters), Chali Baumann (long jump – 5.26 meters), Olamide Ayeni (shot put – 14.20 meters), Marleigh Lucas (100-meters – 12.78 seconds), Leah Clear (1500 meter invite – 4:27.68), and Morgan Mims (400 meters – 56.46 seconds). Full results are available online.
Looking ahead, Delaware will travel to Philadelphia to compete next week at the Penn Relays from April 23 to April 25.
