UNC track and field teams prove themselves in pair of weekend events

On Friday and Saturday, the North Carolina track and field teams split the weekend’s events in the Virginia Challenge, held in Charlottesville, and the Duke Invitational, held in Durham. 

What happened?

The Tar Heels competed Friday and Saturday and took home several first place awards. This was highlighted by the women’s 4x100, who were timed at 44.73 which was good enough to be the fastest time at the event on Friday. 

Alex Milligan also finished first in the 1500 meter dash, while setting his lifetime best at 3:49.39. 

Casey Greenwalt was another Tar Heel who set her best personal time in the women’s 1500 with a blazing 4:33.83 at the Duke Invitational. This is more impressive as it is the third straight meet that she has clocked in a personal best. 

On the second day, Alex Cooke took home fifth in the hammer throw — throwing 195-7 — and barely missed her lifetime best.

In the women’s 5000 meter event, Caroline Alcorta and Morgan Ilse set personal bests in a tight race and took third and fourth place. Alcorta beat her best time by 11 seconds, and Ilse broke lifetime best by 11 seconds. 

Who stood out?

There were two individuals who really stood out, one in the Duke Invitational, and one in the Virginia Challenge. 

At Lannigan Field in Charlottesville on Saturday, hammer throwing first-year Jillian Shippee set a Tar Heel track and field record with an unbelievable 63.19 meter throw. This easily won the event and broke the previous record set in 2003. She is the latest to pencil her name in the all-time record books.

At the Duke Invitational, redshirt sophomore Jared Martin broke his lifetime best in the javelin throw and joined the elite 200-feet club. His furthest throw came on his 6th and final throw, recording 211-3. 

This was an impressive effort and was long enough to take fourth overall in a tough group. He also threw over 200 meters three times during the event.

Why does it matter?

North Carolina looks very good heading into the end of the regular season, and they look to continue to stay hot and break personal records as well as make history. They have solid athletes in multiple events, as the many top 5 finishes this past weekend would indicate. To add on, many are continuing to break their previous best times.  

When do they play next?

The Tar Heels will regroup and make the trip back to Charlottesville on Saturday, the team's final regular season event.

@andrewmontross

@DTHSports | sports@dailytarheel.com