NC State track and field took the trip back up to Blacksburg, Virginia for a second straight weekend to compete at the Hokie Invitational at Rector Field House.
The distance runners did not compete last weekend but were included in this weekend’s events. The Pack has had much success in distance running events in recent years as cross country won three straight NCAA championships from 2021-2023.
On a more regional level, this success continued at the Hokie Invitational as the NC State women swept the podium in the mile race, with junior Hannah Gapes taking first with a time of 4:36.30. Close behind came senior Brooke Rauber in 4:38.45 and sophomore Kate Putnam in 4:39.94 to grab second and third place, respectively. Sophomore Angelina Napoleon finished fifth with a time of 4:41.57.
Graduate Kevin Antczak took second place in the men’s mile with a time of 4:07.91, a personal best.
In the distance medley relay, the NC State women finished second with a time of 11:25.05. Napoleon completed the first 1200m in 3:30.04. Sophomore Jordyn Parker ran the 400m portion in 57.23. Putman finished the 1800m portion in 2:09.86. Rauber anchored the team, finishing the final 1600m in 4:47.93.
In the short-distance running competitions, sophomore Elijah Dawes continued his strong second-year campaign with a second-place finish in the 400m race, finishing in 48.02 — a time fast enough to claim a spot on the NC State all-time top 10 indoor list. Sophomore Xavier Branker finished eighth with a time of 49.38, while junior Lance Patterson finished ninth with a time of 49.71
Graduate Jailen Hobbs took third place in the 60m with a season-best time of 6.82.
In the jumping events, sophomore Tyson Adams secured his second straight first-place finish in the long jump with a mark of 7.40m.
Senior Charles McBride once again took first place in the high jump, clearing 2.16m — .1m higher than last week’s competition. Junior Kyzaiah Stone finished second in the high jump, clearing 2.06m. Freshman Christian Hackett finished fourth with 2.06m and sophomore Judd Armstrong finished fifth with 1.96m.
McBride placed third in the triple jump with a mark of 15.41m.
In the women’s triple jump, sophomore Jayda Hunter finished first with a mark of 12.53m. Freshman Nia Poole finished fourth with a personal best mark of 12.20m and freshman Mariama Hunt placed fifth with 12.04m.
Sophomore McKenna Moritz finished fifth with a personal best jump, clearing 1.66m.
In the weight throw, sophomore Tony Taylor II finished fifth with a personal best of 17.48m.
In the women’s competition, graduate Makala Wright placed seventh with an 18.31m toss, while senior Sydney Freeman took eighth with 18.17m.
NC State will next see action in the Bob Pollock Invitational in Clemson, S.C. from Jan 31 to Feb 1.
