University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Virginia Challenge
Kemp Now Third All-Time in Women's Heptathlon
May 11, 2014 | Track & Field
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA. - The University of North Carolina track and field teams concluded the Virginia Challenge with multiple collegiate victories for individuals. Tory Kemp had her best performance in her career in the heptathlon and set a top-five mark in UNC history.
Kemp finished first in the field and now ranks third all-time in UNC's history in the event. Her score of 5,366 beat second place by 31 points.
"Overall this meet was pretty good for me considering all of the setbacks I've had this year with injuries," Kemp said. "And it was good to finally have a conclusive score that's more reflective of what I can actually do. I had a very good day one and an okay day two. I was painfully close to my goal of qualifying for nationals, but all together this meet was a step in the right direction for me and makes me really excited for next year. But for now I'm going to focus on regionals and getting healthy."
Sarah Howard picked up another collegiate victory in the women's shot put. Howard threw 53-5 ½ (16.29 meters) on her second-to-last attempt to move from second to first.
Isaac Presson also picked up another collegiate victory. Presson finished the 1,500 in 3:41.82, just a tad off his personal best. Pat Schellberg finished in 18th at 3:47.07.
Roy Smith took second place in the men's 110-meter hurdles after setting a new personal record at 13.94. That time now has Smith tied for fourth in UNC's history. Devon Carter finished fourth in the event, crossing the finish line at 14.19.
Elizabeth Whelan finished as the top collegian in the women's 1,500. She took third place overall at 4:19.72. Annie LeHardy set a new PR at 4:21.03 and finished fifth overall.
Houston Summers and Zach Gray both competed against stiff competition in the men's javelin. Summers finished sixth at 204-5 (62.31 meters), and Gray set a new personal at 183-11 (56.06 meters) for seventh.
Xenia Rahn competed in the women's javelin and threw 141-5 (43.11 meters) to take seventh place.
"Roy Smith got the team off to a very good start today and things just built from there," North Carolina head coach Harlis Meaders said. "Roy moved up in the NCAA East ranking list with his best 110 hurdle race of the year. Roy's start was very good today; he got our really well and was able to fight off most of the field to the finish line.
"Tory had a great second day and improved her personal best in the multi by 200 points. She will have an outside chance of making it to Eugene for the final round of the NCAA Championship.
"The women in the 1,500 raced really well. Xenia improved her performance in the javelin, which could translate into more points in the multi in Eugene. Sarah Howard won the women's shot put and set an outdoor PR.
"We are looking forward to next week at NC State and Georgia Tech for one last tune up before the NCAA first round."
And that's exactly where the teams are headed next. Friday, May 16, the teams will be split between the Wolfpack Last Chance in Raleigh and the Georgia Tech Invitational. The Wolfpack Last Chance is a one-day meet while the Georgia Tech Invitational is a two-day meet.
Players Mentioned
