The Bucs wrapped up their first away meet of the season over the weekend at the Virginia Tech Hokie Invitational.
The team was looking to build off the success of three first-place finishes and 12 top-5 finishes at their opening invitational at ETSU Jan. 13-14.
On Friday, the first day of competition, the Bucs had already secured a first place finish from junior Simeon Roberts (Greeneville, Tenn.) in the 3,000-meter final with a time of 8:26.55.
Roberts had also secured the number one position in the mile run the previous weekend at the ETSU Track and Field Invitational.
Another notable finish on day one came from Matthew Moore (Oak Ridge, Tenn.) who advanced into the men’s 60-meter finals by placing seventh with a time of 6.86.
For the women on day one, rookie runner Kiana Davis (Ooletwah, Tenn.) placed ninth in the 300-meter with a new personal record time of 39.99.
At the start of day two, Moore was unable to come out with a strong finish in the 60-meter finals.
Senior Katrina Seymour (New Providence, Bahamas) brought back two strong finishes on the final day of competition in both the women’s 400-meter and 200-meter.
In the 400-meter, Seymour placed fourth with a time of 55.00, just barely missing the mark for second place.
In the 200-meter, she placed seventh with a time of 24.62, again barely 30 seconds behind the second place finish.
Looking towards the field and away from the track, women’s long jumper Rebekah Fox (Franklin, Tenn.) finished in the top-10, close to her personal record jump.
Men’s pole vaulter Brett Squibbs (Rock Hill, S.C) also had success, finishing tied for fifth with a member of the host team.
“We made some improvements and we’re looking forward to the weekend off,” said Head Coach George Watts. “It’s tough competing two weekends in a row.”
This break is going to prepare both teams for the upcoming meet and ensure that everyone is healthy. A main concern at the Hokie Invitational was the number of athletes out for sickness and injury, so going into this weekend off Watts wants to prepare to have a full team competing at the upcoming meet.
Track and field consists of continuous training, Watts mentioned, which is why rest is important.
“In every event area we have the same philosophy,” Watts said.
Overall, both teams are in good shape and are getting ready for their home meet, the Buccaneer Invitational, Feb. 2-4.
