University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Bulldogs See Several School Records Fall on Day One of Virginia Tech Invitational
01.18.2025 | Track and Field
BLACKSBURG, Va. - The UNC Asheville track and field team returned to action on Friday (Jan. 17) for day one of the Virginia Tech Invitational.
SCHOOL RECORDS
Freshmen Paul Kiprotich and Shemarr Session each set a new school record in their respective events to highlight the day. Kiprotich broke the record in the 3,000m with a time of 8:19.63. The previous school record was held by senior Adam Hessler, who ran 8:22.15 at the 2023 Big South Conference Championships.
Session broke the record in the 300m with a time of 34.74. Session broke Anthony Mason's 2022 record of 34.84. He also had a strong showing in the men's 60m Hurdles, where he placed 9th with a PR of 8.28. His hurdles time puts him at No. 5 on the program's Top Performance list.
PERSONAL BEST FINISHES ON THE DAY
Joining Session in the 300m was Jalen Anderson (16th) who ran a PR of 34.76 to check in at No. 2 on the books for Asheville. Also in the event was Joseph Oliver, who now takes No. 5 in program records with a time of 35.26 (19th).
In the women's 300m section, Francesca Cergol finished 17th (41.13, PR), and Murielle Jeanite finished 24th (42.55, PR). In the men's unseeded section, Christopher Owens placed 10th (36.49), and Adam Graham in 11th (36.91).
Over the hurdles, Session placed ninth, the highest finish for a Bulldog on the day, and put himself in the No. 5 spot in program history with his PR of 8.28. He was joined by Graham, who placed 24th in a PR of 9.09. For the women, Lee Kania clocked a season-best of 10.46 (26th).
Nkosi Jeju finished 11th in the 60m prelims, set a PR of 6.90, and moved into No. 3 in program history. Jalen Anderson placed 13th with a PR of 6.91, and Aaron Higgins grabbed a PR as well with a time of 7.13. On the women's side, Cergol ran a PR in the 60m with a time of 8.11.
Lance Surles grabbed a PR in the men's one mile unseeded with a time of 4:30.60.
A LOOK AT TOMORROW
The action continues tomorrow, Saturday, Jan. 18, with the women's high jump event kicking things off at 11 a.m.
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Players Mentioned
