PETERSBURG, Va. – The Virginia Union University women's track & field team honored its senior class while delivering a strong performance at the VSU Relays on Saturday, April 18, hosted by Virginia State University in Petersburg, Va.

The Lady Panthers celebrated seniors Christal Rolack, Angell Garrison, Abijah Jepkemboi, and Nykia Fort during the meet, while also setting two school records and earning several top finishes as the team continues to build momentum heading into the championship portion of the season.

"The women's team continues to move in the right direction," said VUU Head Track & Field Coach Franck Charles. "At this meet, we were able to recognize our four graduating seniors: Christal Rolack, Angell Garrison, Abijah Jepkemboi, and Nykia Fort. Christal and Angell have been with us through it all and stayed committed while helping lead the women's program in the right direction. We are very proud of them. We also can't forget Abijah and Nykia, who transferred to our school two years ago and became a big part of our women's team. We are going to miss all four of them."

Charles also praised the team's overall performance.

"Our women's team performed very well at the VSU meet, breaking two school records. Christal Rolack broke the 400m dash school record, and Toni Middlebrooks broke the 1500m school record," he said. "A great showing from the women's team as we continue building momentum heading into the championship season. We've got a few things to clean up as we prepare for the championship, but we're right where we need to be."

Running Events
Virginia Union posted several strong finishes on the track, highlighted by two record-breaking performances.

Toni Middlebrooks won the 1500 meters with a time of 4:55.21, breaking her own school record in the event. Christal Rolack captured first place in the 400-meter dash with a school-record time of 55.45.

The Lady Panthers' 4x100-meter relay team finished second overall. Marianna Hall earned second place in the 200 meters and placed third in the 100 meters with a new personal-best time of 12.19. Abijah Jepkemboi also finished second overall in her event, while Natalie Young placed third in the 1500 meters.

Jailyn Johnson added a third-place finish in the 400 meters, followed by Victoria Louis in fourth place and Gabrielle Olukoya in fifth place in the same event.

Field Events
Virginia Union also turned in strong performances in the field events.

Jadah Pringle led the way by winning the shot put and adding a third-place finish in the discus. Ellis Oshawnna delivered an impressive outing with a personal-best throw of 11.01 meters to place second in the shot put and a personal-best mark of 36.05 meters to place second in the discus. She also finished fifth in the javelin.

Taylor Porter placed third overall in the long jump, while Angell Garrison finished second in the triple jump.

Virginia Union will now turn its focus to the CIAA Track & Field Championship, scheduled for May 1–2 at Virginia State University in Petersburg, Va.