BUENA VISTA, VA. — The Southern Virginia University Men's and Women's Track and Field concluded the 2023 outdoor season, following up their indoor conference championship, capturing their second consecutive year as USA South Conference Champions. Their season wrapped up on a high note as Daniel De La Cruz qualified for the NCAA Division III Outdoor National Championship in the 400-meter hurdle event.
The Knights were the clear favorites to hoist the trophy at the end of the year, returning their core athletes with the addition of some new faces to establish themselves as the conference powerhouse.
The Season:
In the team's first outing of the outdoor Track & Field season, the Southern Virginia University men's and women's teams made the short trip across town to Washington & Lee University to compete in the W&L Track and Field Carnival. After a solid performance, Daniel De La Cruz and Sasha Willie sat atop the leaderboard in their events.
The following week at the Dr. Jack M Toms Alumni Invitational at the University of Lynchburg, the Knights boasted strong efforts from Aaron Leavitt for the men's team, and the 4x400 relay team consisted of Savanna Chapin, Elizabeth Morgan, Folole Torres, and Kamree Castle, who finished second overall, respectively.
The end of March and the first half of April saw the Knights consistently put up strong numbers and results for the team. At the Colonial Relays, Jilane Pedersen locked the top mark in the Javelin, bringing home a first-place finish for Southern Virginia with a 35.45m throw. Sasha Willie rounded out the top results for the women, earning a fifth-place finish in the 10k with a 39:10.22 time. Derek Lionberger earned two top-five placements for the men's team in the Hammer, and Discus throws, while Parker Arnold finished fourth in the Javelin throw with a 44.62m mark. Daniel De La Cruz stayed consistent, adding another top-five finish in the 400 Hurdles.
Splitting up the next week, team members attended both the Wildcat Track Festival and the New Captains Classic. The women brought home a season-high 13 top-five finishers, with Kyandra Chandler earning first in the 800m. The men also shined with a season-high 18 top-five finishes. At the Wildcat Festival, Aaron Leavitt finished first in the High Jump and the 4x100 Relay with his teammates Elvis Nwaneri, Tommy Skidmore, and Daniel De La Cruz. Koby Parry had a day at the New Captains Classic, bringing home gold in the Javelin with a 51.22m throw.
Southern Virginia followed up with another strong effort at the Dennis Craddock Coaches Classic at the University of Lynchburg. Daniel De La Cruz and Dylan May earned first-place finishes in their respective events, placing seven members in the top five. Jilane Pedersen earned the highest result for her team, placing second in the Javelin, with Presley Heggie following right behind, placing third.
In the final regular-season outing before heading to the Conference Championships, the Knights showed they were primed and ready to repeat as USA South Champions with their best performance of the year at the Wildcat Twilight. The Knights had 45 combined top-five finishes, along with four first-place finishes for the men's team, with Ben Landheim (200m), Joseph Short (1500m), and Cole Oldham (Discus and Hammer Throw) sitting atop the leaderboards. Shandrey Allman dominated the 100m Hurdles, placing first with a 16.21 final result, while Jilane Pedersen finished first in both the Javelin Throw and High Jump.
At the USA South Conference Championships hosted by Brevard, for the second consecutive year, the Southern Virginia University men's and women's track team cruised to another USA South Conference Championship, with nine athletes named Conference Champions in their respective events and four earning major awards at the meet. The Knights also stamped their mark, setting eight new conference records during their consecutive championship performance.
Conference Champions
- Daniel De La Cruz, 400 Hurdles (56.32)
- Koby Parry, Javelin (49.50m / 162'5")
- Derek Lionberger, Discus Throw (40.80m / 14'2")
- Derek Lionberger, Hammer Throw (41.26m / 135' 4"
- Cole Oldham, Shot Put (13.11m / 43' 0.25")
- Parker Arnold, Pole Vault (4.15m / 13'7.25")
- Aaron Leavitt, 400 (48.32)
- Aaron Leavitt, 200 (22.04)
- Aaron Leavitt, High Jump (2.00m / 6'6.75")
- Shandrey Allman, 100m Hurdles (15.71)
- Shandrey Allman, 400 Hurdles (67.95)
- Jilane Pedersen, Javelin (32.13m / 105'5")
- Rory Hanchett, Pole Vault (2.60m / 8'6.25")
- Ainsley Lau, Triple Jump (10.43m / 34'2.75")
- 4x400 meter Relay (4:06.60) Savanna Chapin, Liz Morgan, Folole Torres, Addie Parker
USA South Major Awards and Accolades
- Cole Oldham USA South Men's Field athlete of the meet: 1st in Shot put, 2nd in Discus, 2nd in Hammer
- Derek Lionberger USA South Men's Rookie Field athlete of the meet: 1st Hammer, 1st Discus, 5th Shot put
- Dylan May, USA South Men's Rookie Track Athlete of the meet:2nd 10k, 2nd 5k
- Ainsley Lau USA South Women's Rookie Field athlete of the meet: 1st Triple jump, 3rd pole vault, 3rd long jump, 4th 100 hurdles, 5th Javelin, 6th high jump
- Kyle Chandler USA South Men's and Women's Track and Field Coach of the year
USA South Meet records
