Jan. 21, 2017
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Georgia Tech track and field rewrote 15 career-best marks on Saturday as it wrapped up the final day of the Vanderbilt Invitational. Sophomore Christian Bowles finished first in the men’s 3000m run in his first time racing the event.
“The men’s team put up some very quality early season performances today,” said men’s track and field head coach Grover Hinsdale. “Christian Bowles 3000m victory was very impressive. Andres Littig looked very good in his first 800m of the season as did Avery Bartlett in the mile. Andres Ward set a PR in the finals of the 60m HH as well finishing 6th. We still have work to do but I am pleased with the progress we’re making each week.”
Bowles led the way for the men on Saturday, finishing first in the 3000m with a time of 18:17.62. Four other Jackets logged career bests in the 3000m, Mitchell Sanders (8:24.26), Tanner Shaw (8:29.43), Matt McBrien (8:36.49) and Ryan Peck (8:44.79). Senior Andres Littig grabbed a second-place finish for the Jackets with a time of 1:50.04 in the men’s 800m. Freshman Bennett Hillier bettered his time from the Commodore Invitational in the 800m, finishing with a career-best time of 1:54.95.
In the men’s 400m, Lionel Jones recorded a career-best time of 49.72 while freshman Dwayne Watkins posted a career-best time of 50.76. Andres Ward posted a sixth-place finish in the 60m hurdles with a career best of 8.20.
“The women continue to make some great progress each week as we build toward the ACC meet next month,” said women’s track and field head coach Alan Drosky. “Carissa got us started off well last night with her first jump ever over six meters. Today the hurdlers were the highlight with Kenya’s seasonal best, Raven’s personal best, and Jeanine’s season opener and first time representing Georgia Tech. The 400m women as a group ran really well, and Mary was able to get under ten minutes for the first time in her career in the 3000m.”
Senior Kenya Collins grabbed a third-place finish in the 60m hurdles with a time of 8.34. She has finished in the top-five in the event at each meet this season. Raven Stewart and Marinice Bauman turned out career bests in the 60m hurdles with times of 8.58 and 8.72, respectively. Stewart also registered a career best in the 60m dash along with senior Carissa Tipler.
Mary Prouty (9:58.32) and Courtney Naser (10:19.96) both notched career-best times in the women’s 3000m. Freshman Denise Woode posted a career best in the 400m dash with a time of 58.45. Freshman Jeanine Williams made her collegiate debut, finished ninth in the 60m dash.
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