The Virginia men’s and women’s track and field teams began competition at the Larry Ellis Invitational at Weaver Stadium in Princeton, N.J. on May 1, where Jeremiah Nubbe and Charlotta Sandkulla won the men’s and women’s hammer throw events for the second consecutive weekend.
The sweep of both hammer throw competitions highlights a strong start to the meet for Virginia. Success in these events continues a trend from the previous weekend, when Nubbe and Sandkulla also claimed victories at the Penn Relays.
Cale Ayers achieved a personal best with a throw of 64.93 meters to finish third in the men’s hammer throw, improving his standing as No. 7 all-time for Virginia. In the women’s event, Theresa Breckley set her own personal record with a mark of 55.35 meters, placing ninth overall and moving up to No. 10 on Virginia’s all-time list.
Sandkulla secured her win with her sixth-round effort of 66.78 meters in the women’s competition, while Aixa Corbacho finished fourth after reaching 58.37 meters on her final attempt. Nubbe captured first place in the men’s event with his last throw measuring 73.59 meters—just shy of his personal best and second-best all-time mark for Virginia.
Freshman Alex Jackson made his collegiate debut in hammer throw by finishing tenth with a mark of 46.97 meters on his third attempt. In addition to success in hammer throws, Christiana Ellina placed second in the women’s javelin competition after recording a distance of 48.61 meters on her first try.
The Cavaliers are scheduled to continue their participation at the Larry Ellis Invitational on Saturday, May 2, while another group will compete at Hill City Twilight held at Shellenberger Field & Dr. Jack M. Toms Track in Lynchburg.
