HPU Track and Field Finishes Action at VertKlasse Meeting

HPU Women Record Five Podium Finishes at VertKlasse Meeting

HIGH POINT, N.C.—The High Point University women’s track and field team registered five podium finishes at the 10th annual VertKlasse Meeting Friday (April 6) at Vert Stadium.

In her first career 3,000m steeplechase race, freshman Famke Heinst won in a time of 10:51.15, while sophomore Emmy Geis was the runner-up in 11:07.81.

Senior CeAnna Soper placed second in the javelin with a throw of 40.86m (134-1), while sophomore Madison Reynolds was fifth with a mark of 31.79m (104-3).

In the pole vault, freshman Nathalie Elliott finished third, clearing a height of 3.91m (12-10).

Sophomore Ariel Wilbekin finished in the third in the triple jump with a mark of 11.52m (37-9.5).

In the 1,500 meters, junior Keaton Case placed fourth in 4:36.26, while freshman Caroline Baudinet crossed the line eighth in 4:42.96.

Freshman Franzi Jakobs placed sixth in the 800 meters after winning her heat in a time of 2:19.42. Junior Emmy Geis was sixth in the 400m hurdles in 1:04.46.

Senior Makenzi Holmes-DiGiovine placed sixth in the shot put with a mark of 13.14m (43-1.5).

In the 5,000 meters, junior Courtney Kerr placed eighth with a time of 18:26.21.

“One of the things we always want from student-athletes when they compete at home is to defend their home turf and unfortunately, I thought for the most part they were very passive today,” HPU head coach Mike Esposito said. “We had a few exceptions, including Nathalie (Elliott) in the pole vault who has been very consistent. I thought Emmy Geis is continuing to get better, Franzi (Jakobs) took a little step forward in the 800, winning her heat and Zoe Geis was right around her PR in the steeplechase.

“The VertKlasse Meeting is unlike any other event we host here at HPU and it takes a lot of time and effort to plan and put on. I’d like to thank all the offices in our athletic department and all the many volunteers who help us put on a great meet.”

Next up, the Panthers will compete at the North Carolina A&T Aggie Invite April 13-14 in Greensboro and the Phoenix Invite in Elon.


HPU Men Win Two Events at VertKlasse Meeting

HIGH POINT, N.C.—The High Point University men’s track and field picked up two events at the 10th annual VertKlasse Meeting Friday (April 6) at Vert Stadium.

The Panthers went 1-2 in the 3,000m steeplechase with freshman Hocine Bouchrak and senior Alejandro Juan Torres finishing in times of 8:56.06 and 8:57.98.

“Our steeplechasers most likely qualified for the NCAA First Round with those times in their collegiate steeplechase debuts,” HPU head coach Mike Esposito said. “They went out and executed what they do every day, seeing consistency in training and consistency in the results. It means we don’t have to go chasing times and can focus on tactical situations in races.”

Freshman Siro Pina Cardona won the 800 meters in a time of 1:54.22, while sophomore Jake Dunn was seventh in 1:58.28. Pina Cardona also placed seventh in the 1,500 meters in 3:57.21.

Another freshman, Gabriel Stainback, finished in a tie for second in the high jump after clearing a height of 1.91m (6-3.25).

Stainback finished up as the runner-up in the 110m hurdles in 14.98, while sophomore Pablo Romero finished third in 15.04.

In the pole vault, sophomore Carter Clasper finished fifth overall and was the second collegian after clearing an outdoor personal-best height of 4.91m (16-1.25). HPU assistant coach broke the facility and meet record with a height of 5.66m (18-6.75).

Senior James House finished fourth in the 100m in 21.84 and also placed fourth in the 21.84.

In the javelin, junior Brad Kanney placed fifth with a throw of 37.98m (124-7), while Romero was eighth with a mark of 36.78m (120-8).

Junior Britton Mann placed seventh in the hammer with a throw of 41.97m (137-8).

“I think our men seem to be trending a little better overall. James House was highly encouraging today and is getting some confidence back just at the right time. Siro (Pina Cardona) winning the 800 was exactly what we wanted him to do, win the race. He is ready to go much faster. Carter (Clasper) with an outdoor best in a neat event where we put the pole vault right in front of the stands. Then you add in a world-class vaulter competing in Scott Houston and it’s really something special.

“The VertKlasse Meeting is unlike any other event we host here at HPU and it takes a lot of time and effort to plan and put on. I’d like to thank all the offices in our athletic department and all the many volunteers who help us put on a great meet.”

Next up, the Panthers will compete at the North Carolina A&T Aggie Invite April 13-14 in Greensboro and the Phoenix Invite in Elon.