HIGH POINT – The Elon women's track & field team opened competition at the VertKlasse Meeting on Thursday at Vert Stadium with a pair of runner-up finishes and three personal-best performances.
 
Leading the way for the Phoenix was Isabella Johnson, who placed second in the elite hammer throw with a personal-best mark of 60.05 meters (197-0). Already ranked No. 2 in program history entering the meet, Johnson became just the second athlete in program history to surpass the 60-meter barrier in the event, joining record holder Kaitlin McGoogan.
 
Elon added another runner-up finish on the track as Winter Oaster took second in the 3,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 11:18.89.
 
In the hammer throw, Adriana Clarke also turned in a top-five performance, finishing fifth with a mark of 55.69 meters (182-8).
 
The Phoenix saw additional field success in the javelin, where Jaqueline Zacharias placed fourth overall with a throw of 44.06 meters (144-7), while Greta Urbonaviciute was 17th at 33.72 meters (110-7).
 
Irene Blanco Garcia recorded a personal-best clearance of 1.52 meters (4-11.75) to finish eighth in the high jump and also competed in the long jump, placing 25th with a mark of 5.38 meters (17-8). Lizzie Lopez led Elon in the long jump, finishing 19th at 5.46 meters (17-11).
 
On the track, Ashland Dickel (4:53.22) and Emilia Smith (4:54.26) finished 28th and 30th, respectively, in the 1,500 meters.
 
VERTKLASSE MEETING – DAY 1 RESULTS
High Jump – Group B
8. Irene Blanco Garcia (1.52m/4'11.75" – personal best)
21. Carolina Frada (1.42m/4'7.75")
 
Hammer Throw – Elite
2. Isabella Johnson (60.05m/197'0" – personal best // No. 2 in program history)
5. Adriana Clarke (55.69m/182'8")
 
Long Jump
19. Lizzie Lopez (5.46m/17'11")
25. Irene Blanco Garcia (5.38m/17'8" – personal best)
 
Javelin Throw
4. Jaqueline Zacharias (44.06m/144'7")
17. Greta Urbonaviciute (33.72m/110'7")
 
1500m
28. Ashland Dickel (4:53.22)
30. Emilia Smith (4:54.26)
 
3000m Steeplechase
2. Winter Oaster (11:18.89)
 
UP NEXT
Day two of the VertKlasse Meeting will see the Phoenix compete in 13 events, starting with the hammer throw open and 800-meter run at 9 a.m. ET. All track events will be streamed via ESPN+.
 
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