Seven Highlanders Take Top Honors at VMI Invitational

LEXINGTON, Va. -- Radford University's Natasha Tyler (Columbia, S.C.), Amy Gediman (Midlothian, Va.), Tara Stirewalt (Terrebone, Ore.), Tricia Benson (Salem, Va.), Latoya Noel (Beligshape, Belgium), Goran Nava (Castello Brianza, Italy) and Andre McMillan (Newark, Del.) posted first place finishes in their individual events, along with the women's 4x400 relay team at the VMI Indoor Track and Field Invitational.

Tyler, along with freshmen Antoine Woods (Woodbridge, Va.) and Irvin White (Christiansburg, Va.) broke school records. Tyler improved on her own record in the 55-meter dash with a winning time of 7.25. Woods' set a new 55 high hurdle record (8.04), while White broke the long jump record with a leap of 22'05.50".

Tyler was one of two multiple winners as she also won the 200 dash with a time of 26.25. Nava was the other, as he took home titles in the 1,000 and the mile with times of 2:37.10 and 4:26.79 respectively.

On the women's side, Gediman won the 1,000 (3:08.38). Stirewalt and Benson finished first in the mile (6:02.19) and 3,000 (11:48.28) respectively, while Danielle Tyler (Columbia, S.C.) and Beth Hayward (Virginia Beach, Va.) finished second in those events. In the high jump, Noel posted a jump of 5'02.25". Freshman Courtney Hendricks (Radford, Va.) placed second in the weight throw (44'00.50").

McMillan was the other winner on the men's side, taking home the 200 dash with a time of 23.07. In the 1,000, Abdi Dubed (Arlington, Va.) and Tony Zanca (Williamsburg, Va.) finished second and third with times of 2:44.25 and 2:44.43 respectively. Dubed also finished third in the mile (4:31.51). Tim Dutton (Virginia Beach, Va.) captured second in the 3,000 meter run (9:09.87). White placed third in the 55 hurdles and the triple jump (43'03.75"). Rochelle Black (Virginia Beach, Va.) and Charles Musindu (Falls Church, Va.) also posted third place finishes in the high jump (6'09.25") and weight throw (47'08.50") respectively.

The Highlanders will be off until Jan. 11 when they participate in the Father Diamond Invitational in Fairfax, Va.

Complete Results