The Virginia Union University men’s track and field team spent the Christmas break setting four school records on the track and in the field. NCAA racing continued over the holiday in full swing, with Panthers competing at meets at George Mason University, the New York City Armory, and the Virginia Military Institute. Competition included Division 1 schools such as Texas State, GMU, Norfolk, Hampton, and Howard.
At the Father Diamond Invitational on January 5, freshman John Porter notched the first school record of the year with his 4th place, 1:07.32 finish in the men’s 500 meter dash. Junior Darius Whitehurst then notched another record in the shot put, with a mark of 15.47m for 5th place.
The following week freshman Micah Kipruto opened his year in the Panther uniform with a school record and CIAA #1 mark in the 3000 meters, placing second in NYC with a time of 8:55.15. Kipruto anchored the school record setting 4x800 meter relay less than a week later, with a team of junior Charles Whitehead-Tillery, sophomore Anthony Wimbish, and freshman Enos Rotich to a time of 8:17.77.
On Saturday, January 26, the Panthers will complete at Christopher Newport University in their final tune-up in advance of CIAA Championships in North Carolina February 9-11, 2019.