University of Tennessee at Chattanooga freshman Sophia Neglia placed second in the women’s 3000 meter run Saturday on the final day of the Buccaneer Invitational hosted by ETSU at the MSHA Athletic Center.
Neglia covered the distance in a time of 10:20.08 followed by sophomore Emily Poole in third with a time of 10:26.45. They were joined in the Top 10 by sophomores Hannah Caldwell who placed fifth with a time of 10:33.79 and Rebekah Wich eighth with a time of 10:44.79.
“Our 3K crew killed it!” Chattanooga head coach Andy Meyer exclaimed.
“Sophia ran a PR by 10-plus seconds and second overall. Emily gutted out a third place after fifth in the 5K the night before. Then Hannah and Rebekah had good finishes.”
In the 800m, Abby Bateman was sixth for the Mocs with a time of 2:18.05. While finishing 15th overall, junior Brianna Nelson led her heat with a time of 2:23.79. In the women’s Mile, junior Haley Morris was eighth overall with a time of 5:24.54, despite recently recovering from an illness. She set a PR in the event. Julia Henderson clocked in with a time of 5:41.95 to win her heat.
The Mocs’ cross country team, running unattched had some great finishes as well. Sophomore Ryan Gebelein placed sixth in the 3000 meter run with a PR time of 8:55.89. Junior Gavin Hasty placed second in his heat in the men’s 800 meter with a PR at 1:59.28.
“We had several kids set indoor PRs,” Meyer said. “They ran well and now we have time for a good solid training block before conference. Kids are beginning to get some form and put racing strategies together. This was a very good meet for us.”
Up next for the women’s team is the Southern Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships February 24-25 hosted by VMI in Lexington, Va.
Mile Run
8. Haley Morris Jr. 5:24.54
11. Brianna Nelson Jr. 5:27.85
20. Julia Henderson So. 5:41.95
23. Jessica York Sr. 5:47.27
800m
6. Abby Bateman So. 2:18.05
15. Brianna Nelson Jr. 2:23.79
22. Katie Coker Fr. 2:28.04
3000m
2. Sophia Neglia Fr. 10:20.08
3. Emily Poole So. 10:26.45
5. Hannah Caldwell So. 10:33.79
8. Rebekah Wich So. 10:44.79
800m – Men
10. Gavin Hasty Jr. 1:59.28 second in heat
3000m – Men
6. Ryan Gebelein So. 8:55.89
11. Mark Britt Jr. 9:03.24
20. Brennan Huber So. 9:25.92