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Inside Hokie Sports
SPRINTS/HURDLES COACH
TIM VAUGHT’S
TAKE
“When you are on top, I always tell the
student-athletes, it is harder to stay on top
than to try to get to the top. You know, you
have got to stay hungry and understand why
you are here. It’s the reason why we won
the conference championships last year. We
worked hard and wanted to be No. 1, and if
you can keep that mentality all the time, you
can only be the best.
“As a mentality as an athlete, you always
want to be the best at what you do, and you
always want to be the hunter, not the hunted.
If you keep that mindset, things will go well.
Every time you step on the track, you’re the
hunter. You’re not waiting for someone to
catch you because you want to hunt and
continue to be the best. For the athletes that
did not win their respected individual events
last spring, that’s what they are chasing
now. For the athletes that did not make it
to nationals last year, that’s what they are
chasing after as well.”
WOMEN’S SPRINTS/
HURDLES
TOP RETURNERS
Courtney Blanden, Shanel Burr, Arlicia Bush,
Nora McKiver, Ama-Selina Tchume
NEWCOMERS
Kennedy Dennis, Caitlin Tate, Adiah Gholston
OVERVIEW
The Tech women’s sprinters and hurdlers
continue to get better, as Blanden, Bush,
McKiver and Tchume got NCAA experience
after qualifying for the NCAA Outdoor
Championships in the 4x400 relay last
spring. All four also earned All-ACC honors
during the outdoor season in the 4x400 and
4x100 relays. Blanden headlines the group
after coming in second in the 200 at the
ACC Indoor Championships, and she earned
All-ACC recognition in the 400 during the
outdoor season after she finished fourth at
the ACC’s outdoor meet with a school-record
time of 52.24 seconds. McKiver also brings
experience and talent, as she ran the third-
fastest time in school history in the 60 (8.34
seconds) while running unattached during the
indoor season last winter. Fans also should
keep an eye on freshmen Dennis and Tate,
both of whom possess the potential to earn
All-ACC honors.
SPRINTS/HURDLES COACH
TIM VAUGHT’S
TAKE
“The newcomers this year … we got a
young group, but a very talented group that
is here. I’m looking for Caitlin Tate to be an
outstanding short sprinter. I think her ability
is untapped, but I’ve seen some bright things
from her this fall. She’s been training hard and
Courtney Blanden
