TicketsNASHVILLE, Tenn. - The first day of the Music City Challenge came to a close Friday night inside Vanderbilt's Multipurpose Facility in Nashville, Tenn., with the University of Cincinnati sending athletes to compete in two running events and several field events. Aaron Bienenfeld, a junior who has only been with the program since the start of January, led the way Friday night as he turned in a huge time in the 5,000m run.
// BIENENFELD GETS FAST
Bienenfeld, who ran the previous two years in his native Germany, had a stellar race on the 300m oval as he placed fifth overall in 14:29.23, a time that ranks him #3 in program history. His time is the fastest turned in by a UC man since 2011 when Eric Finan broke the record (14:17.07). Bienenfeld is now in the Top 10 in three distance events as he previously ran 4:10.82 last week in the mile to rank #9 after he ran 8:23.99 in the 3,000m three weeks ago for the #7 all-time mark. Two other men also ran the 5,000m event with Nick Grismer running a PR of 15:12.61 and Dan Huben racing to a time of 14:54.38, which is less than one second off his personal best.
// ABRAHAM MOVES UP
In the men's weight throw, Marcus Abraham joined the program's all-time Top 10 chart as he tossed the 35-pound ball out 17.14m (56-03.00) to move up to #6 all-time. Abraham finished 13th overall on the day while Sam Meece led the way in the event by placing 11th.
// BLAUT WINS AGAIN
Loretta Blaut continued to claim victory in the high jump, this time taking the title with a clearance of 1.81m (5-11.25). The win is Blaut's sixth in a row this season and her fifth in a row with a mark of 1.80m or better. She nearly cleared 1.85m on all three of her attempts. In the same event, Katie Kravitsky tied her personal best with a clearance of 1.61m (5-03.25).
// FAST TIMES IN THE 200
Two individuals raced in the 200m final Friday night with both running fast times. In the women's race, Tiona Lattimore ran 23.92 to finish third overall. It marked the first race this year in 10 open appearances that she didn't post a personal best, missing her top time by 0.07 seconds. In the men's race, Mykel Chambers turned in a time of 22.23 to lower his personal best by 0.20 seconds.
// BIG BATTLE IN THE WEIGHT THROW
The women's weight throw saw a huge battle as four of the Top 10 throwers in the world were on hand to compete. Annette Echikunwoke took third overall and second among collegiate competitors as she threw 23.33m (76-06.50). Gwen Berry (NYAC) won the event with a toss of 25.27m (82-11.00) while Janeah Stewart (Ole Miss) was second at 24.12m (79-01.75). Stewart and Echikunwoke are currently ranked #1 and #2, respectively, in the NCAA.
// ON DECK
The second and final day of competition at the Music City Challenge comes will take place Saturday with running events getting underway at 10 a.m. and field events at 10:30 a.m.
2018 Music City Challenge
February 9 (Day One) • Vanderbilt Multipurpose Facility • Nashville, Tenn.
Women's Results
200m Dash
3. Tiona Lattimore - 23.92
5,000m Run
39. Tessa Ward - 18:22.91
Long Jump
16. Kennedy Marable - 5.41m (17-09.00)
High Jump
1. Loretta Blaut - 1.81m (5-11.25)
t13. Katie Kravitsky - 1.61m (5-03.25) - =PR
16. Angelica Lightfoot - 1.61m (5-03.25)
Weight Throw
3. Annette Echikunwoke - 23.33m (76-06.50)
25. Alexis Gray - 15.49m (50-10.00)
Men's Results
200m Dash
22. Mykel Chambers - 22.23 - PR
5,000m Run
5. Aaron Bienenfeld - 14:29.23 - PR & UC #3
12. Dan Huben - 14:54.38
19. Nick Grismer - 15:12.61 - PR
Long Jump
4. Austin Edwards - 7.31m (23-11.75)
11. Brandon White - 6.94m (22-09.25)
22. Nicholas Lauria - 5.93m (19-05.50)
High Jump
3. Albert Kalala - 1.98m (6-06.00)
t5. Cannon Riddle - 1.93m (6-04.00)
Pole Vault
4. Adrian Valles - 5.22m (17-01.50)
8. Nicholas Lauria - 4.77m (15-07.75) - =PR
Weight Throw
11. Sam Meece - 18.03m (59-02.00)
13. Marcus Abraham - 17.14m (56-03.00) - PR & UC #6
22. Chris Province - 15.40m (50-06.25)
// BIENENFELD GETS FAST
Bienenfeld, who ran the previous two years in his native Germany, had a stellar race on the 300m oval as he placed fifth overall in 14:29.23, a time that ranks him #3 in program history. His time is the fastest turned in by a UC man since 2011 when Eric Finan broke the record (14:17.07). Bienenfeld is now in the Top 10 in three distance events as he previously ran 4:10.82 last week in the mile to rank #9 after he ran 8:23.99 in the 3,000m three weeks ago for the #7 all-time mark. Two other men also ran the 5,000m event with Nick Grismer running a PR of 15:12.61 and Dan Huben racing to a time of 14:54.38, which is less than one second off his personal best.
// ABRAHAM MOVES UP
In the men's weight throw, Marcus Abraham joined the program's all-time Top 10 chart as he tossed the 35-pound ball out 17.14m (56-03.00) to move up to #6 all-time. Abraham finished 13th overall on the day while Sam Meece led the way in the event by placing 11th.
// BLAUT WINS AGAIN
Loretta Blaut continued to claim victory in the high jump, this time taking the title with a clearance of 1.81m (5-11.25). The win is Blaut's sixth in a row this season and her fifth in a row with a mark of 1.80m or better. She nearly cleared 1.85m on all three of her attempts. In the same event, Katie Kravitsky tied her personal best with a clearance of 1.61m (5-03.25).
// FAST TIMES IN THE 200
Two individuals raced in the 200m final Friday night with both running fast times. In the women's race, Tiona Lattimore ran 23.92 to finish third overall. It marked the first race this year in 10 open appearances that she didn't post a personal best, missing her top time by 0.07 seconds. In the men's race, Mykel Chambers turned in a time of 22.23 to lower his personal best by 0.20 seconds.
// BIG BATTLE IN THE WEIGHT THROW
The women's weight throw saw a huge battle as four of the Top 10 throwers in the world were on hand to compete. Annette Echikunwoke took third overall and second among collegiate competitors as she threw 23.33m (76-06.50). Gwen Berry (NYAC) won the event with a toss of 25.27m (82-11.00) while Janeah Stewart (Ole Miss) was second at 24.12m (79-01.75). Stewart and Echikunwoke are currently ranked #1 and #2, respectively, in the NCAA.
// ON DECK
The second and final day of competition at the Music City Challenge comes will take place Saturday with running events getting underway at 10 a.m. and field events at 10:30 a.m.
2018 Music City Challenge
February 9 (Day One) • Vanderbilt Multipurpose Facility • Nashville, Tenn.
Women's Results
200m Dash
3. Tiona Lattimore - 23.92
5,000m Run
39. Tessa Ward - 18:22.91
Long Jump
16. Kennedy Marable - 5.41m (17-09.00)
High Jump
1. Loretta Blaut - 1.81m (5-11.25)
t13. Katie Kravitsky - 1.61m (5-03.25) - =PR
16. Angelica Lightfoot - 1.61m (5-03.25)
Weight Throw
3. Annette Echikunwoke - 23.33m (76-06.50)
25. Alexis Gray - 15.49m (50-10.00)
Men's Results
200m Dash
22. Mykel Chambers - 22.23 - PR
5,000m Run
5. Aaron Bienenfeld - 14:29.23 - PR & UC #3
12. Dan Huben - 14:54.38
19. Nick Grismer - 15:12.61 - PR
Long Jump
4. Austin Edwards - 7.31m (23-11.75)
11. Brandon White - 6.94m (22-09.25)
22. Nicholas Lauria - 5.93m (19-05.50)
High Jump
3. Albert Kalala - 1.98m (6-06.00)
t5. Cannon Riddle - 1.93m (6-04.00)
Pole Vault
4. Adrian Valles - 5.22m (17-01.50)
8. Nicholas Lauria - 4.77m (15-07.75) - =PR
Weight Throw
11. Sam Meece - 18.03m (59-02.00)
13. Marcus Abraham - 17.14m (56-03.00) - PR & UC #6
22. Chris Province - 15.40m (50-06.25)