LYNCHBURG, Va. - Mary Baldwin sprinters broke two school records to highlight Saturday’s participation at the annual Dennis Craddock Invitational at Lynchburg University.
The Fighting Squirrels received record-setting performances in the 100-meter dash by senior Steven Santiago and junior Quierra Hawkins. Santiago placed fourth overall in the men’s 100 by crossing the finish line in 11.06 while Hawkins was among the top competitors in the women’s 100 with a time of 13.29.
Sophomore Christopher Kirksey was a top scorer in the vertical jumps, placing third in the men’s triple jump (13.36m) and sixth in the long jump (6.49m). Kirksey and classmate Shyheim Holmes also provided a strong team performance in the 400-meter run, with Kirksey crossing the finish line in 49.00 while Holmes’ time was 50.97.
Holmes also led a group of four Fighting Squirrels in the 200-meter run with a personal best time of 22.22. Donavan Richardson (25.21), Donovan Porter (26.01) and Tristen Bannasch (26.27) also fared well in the 200.
Rounding out the men’s top performances was Brendan Plogger, who posted a season-best time in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:06.
In the women’s competitions, sophomore Kayla Richardson placed 15th out of over 50 participants with a distance of 10.10m in the shot put.
Several MBU women’s competitors also posted season-best performances, including freshman Imari Knight in the long jump (4.55m) and senior Brianna Parker in the 800 (2:56.00). Joining Hawkins in the 100-meter dash was Lanadia Tarpley (14.39) while Grace Hearns’ best effort in the long jump was 4.30m.
MBU returns to action Saturday, April 22 in the Wildcat Twilight meet at Randolph College. That will be the team’s final tune up prior to the 2023 USA South Conference championship at Brevard (NC) College on April 27-28.