Women's DMR Takes Second At UCS Invitational

Friday, February 16

Winston-Salem, N.C.

5:30 P.M.

North Carolina

UCS Invitational Day 1

L to R: Caroline Alcorta, Erin Edmundson, Cierra Dunston, Blake Dodge

February 16, 2018 | Track & Field

Watch Live Results Schedule Heat Sheets

By: Matt Hodgin

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - North Carolina's distance medley relay of Erin Edmundson, Cierra Dunston, Blake Dodge and Caroline Alcorta ran 11:17.78 to take second at the UCS Invitational at the JDL Fast Track Friday evening.

The adjusted time of 11:10.60 is the second-best time run in the ACC this season and is ninth fastest in the NCAA.

Edmundson, a sophomore from Prospect, Ky., led off the relay for the 1,200 and took to the front of the pack through 600 meters. Over the final 400, UPenn took over the lead to gain a sizable advantage by the first handoff.

"None of the field seemed to be really interested in getting it going because she was in the front doing her job, and then around 600 they kind of woke up and started racing at that point," distance coach Mark VanAlstyne said. "I think she made a couple good moves to respond, but at the end when she normally has a good kick, she just looked a little flat. So, I know that she can get a few more seconds on that leg."

Then Dunston, a senior from Powder Springs, Ga., received the baton and brought he Tar Heels right back to the lead pack at the end of her 400-meter leg.

"Cierra's 400 leg to get us back in it was fantastic," VanAlstyne said. "To split what she did [53.47] on the flat track really bodes well for her performance on the relay and the open 400 next week at conferences."

Dodge, a senior from Beaufort, N.C., was up next for the half-mile leg. Running her best 800 meters of the season in 2:08.27, Dodge brought Carolina into second before making the final baton exchange.

"She looked like Blake - super competitive, made the right moves at the right times," VanAlstyne said. "So it's good to see her rounding into the form that hopefully is going to put her on the podium at ACCs."

Alcorta, a senior from Springfield, Va., reclaimed the lead for the Tar Heels shortly after receiving the baton and led for nearly 1200 meters. However with 400 meters to go, Villanova took the lead and would go on to win in 11:13.65

"We didn't want her out front leading, but it was obvious that the other teams weren't going to help," VanAlstyne said. "I kept her in front because it's 100 percent about the time today, and I have no doubt that had Caroline not pushed it, she probably could have won that leg, but it would have been a slower time overall."

Overall, VanAlstyne was pleased with the performance but believes this group can still knock off a few seconds with one more opportunity coming up at the ACC Indoor Track & Field Championships next Thursday.

SATURDAY PREVIEW
On Saturday, the meet will resume at 10 a.m. At that time, Brianna Duncan and Janice Ezenwa will compete in the women's long jump, RaeKwon Villines and Carson Pledger will compete in the men's long jump, and Bailey Frederick and Drew Pedersen will compete in the men's pole vault.

At 12:25 p.m., Duncan will compete in the women's 60 meters, followed by Cameron Douglas and Dontavian Smith in the men's race at 12:35 p.m.

At 12:30 p.m., Ezenwa, Brianna Isles and Peighton Simmons will compete in the women's triple jump, and Villines and Pledger will compete in the men's triple jump.

At 12:50 p.m. Katlin Sherman, Tamira Gitonga and Kristin Hall will race in the women's 400 meters.

Hall will close out the weekend for the Tar Heels in the women's 200 meters at 2:40 p.m.

HOW TO FOLLOW
The meet will be streamed on RunnerSpace.com.

A full schedule of events, heat sheets and a link to live results are available at GoHeels.com.

Fans can also follow @unctrack_field on Twitter and Instagram for live updates throughout the meet. UNC Track & Field is also on Facebook. A recap of performances and results will be posted on GoHeels.com following the conclusion of the meet.