FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Texas A&M track & field's Heather Abadie set a new program record in the women's pole vault to lead a successful opening day of the Razorback Invitational for the Aggies at the Randal Tyson Track Center.
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Abadie highlighted day one of the meet, clearing 4.38m/14-4.5 which downed the previous record set by Emily Gunderson (4.33m/14-2.5) in 2017. The Baton Rouge, Louisiana, native now ranks sixth in the nation this season in the event. Also in the pole vault, Sevanna Hanson and Ella Vajdos made moves on the all-time performers list, as Hanson improved from No. 9 to No. 7 (4.08m/13-4.25) and Vajdos jumped a spot from No. 11 to No. 10 (3.83m/12-6.75).
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Joniar Thomas and Landon Helms got the day started for the Aggies in the pentathlon and heptathlon, respectively. Thomas placed ninth overall in the pentathlon with a personal best total of 3,986 points, which moved her up one spot on the all-time performers list to No. 6. She impressed in the long jump where she claimed second with a leap of 6.26m/20-6.5, and also secured a personal best in the 800m in a time of 2:24.83. Helms set a trio of personal bests, including a new career mark in the long jump (6.98m/22-10.75), shot put (13.16m/43-2.25) and high jump (1.81m/5-11.25) to enter day two with 2,941 points.
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John Baker had his best performance of the season in the men's long jump, as he leapt 7.67m/25-2. Jade Johnson on the women's side downed her personal best with a jump of 5.68m/18-7.75. Also in the jumps squad, Carter Bajoit cleared 2.12m/6-11.5 for a fifth-place finish the men's high jump.
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The Aggies also broke another three person bests, Camryn Dickson in the women's 200m (23.29), Jack Johnston in the 3,000m (8:19.42) and Carter Gordy in the mile (4:11.77).
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Coach's Quotes
Head coach Pat Henry on Heather Abadie's program record…
"Heather had the best day she's ever had, she was clean and looked great throughout. Breaking a program record is very hard to do, and clearing 4.38m/14-4.5 is extremely impressive."
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Coach Henry on other standout performers…
"Sevanna Hanson also looked great in the pole vault today, she's right on the edge of doing some great things. John Baker continues to improve and had a really great day in the long jump, then Elise Smoot was impressive leading her heat of the mile right to the end."
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Next Up
The Aggies return to the Randal Tyson Track Center tomorrow for the final day of the Razorback Invitational.
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To learn more about Texas A&M Track & Field/Cross Country, visit 12thMan.com and follow @aggietfxc.
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Abadie highlighted day one of the meet, clearing 4.38m/14-4.5 which downed the previous record set by Emily Gunderson (4.33m/14-2.5) in 2017. The Baton Rouge, Louisiana, native now ranks sixth in the nation this season in the event. Also in the pole vault, Sevanna Hanson and Ella Vajdos made moves on the all-time performers list, as Hanson improved from No. 9 to No. 7 (4.08m/13-4.25) and Vajdos jumped a spot from No. 11 to No. 10 (3.83m/12-6.75).
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Joniar Thomas and Landon Helms got the day started for the Aggies in the pentathlon and heptathlon, respectively. Thomas placed ninth overall in the pentathlon with a personal best total of 3,986 points, which moved her up one spot on the all-time performers list to No. 6. She impressed in the long jump where she claimed second with a leap of 6.26m/20-6.5, and also secured a personal best in the 800m in a time of 2:24.83. Helms set a trio of personal bests, including a new career mark in the long jump (6.98m/22-10.75), shot put (13.16m/43-2.25) and high jump (1.81m/5-11.25) to enter day two with 2,941 points.
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John Baker had his best performance of the season in the men's long jump, as he leapt 7.67m/25-2. Jade Johnson on the women's side downed her personal best with a jump of 5.68m/18-7.75. Also in the jumps squad, Carter Bajoit cleared 2.12m/6-11.5 for a fifth-place finish the men's high jump.
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The Aggies also broke another three person bests, Camryn Dickson in the women's 200m (23.29), Jack Johnston in the 3,000m (8:19.42) and Carter Gordy in the mile (4:11.77).
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Coach's Quotes
Head coach Pat Henry on Heather Abadie's program record…
"Heather had the best day she's ever had, she was clean and looked great throughout. Breaking a program record is very hard to do, and clearing 4.38m/14-4.5 is extremely impressive."
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Coach Henry on other standout performers…
"Sevanna Hanson also looked great in the pole vault today, she's right on the edge of doing some great things. John Baker continues to improve and had a really great day in the long jump, then Elise Smoot was impressive leading her heat of the mile right to the end."
Â
Next Up
The Aggies return to the Randal Tyson Track Center tomorrow for the final day of the Razorback Invitational.
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To learn more about Texas A&M Track & Field/Cross Country, visit 12thMan.com and follow @aggietfxc.