University of Tennessee Athletics
Photo by: Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics
Thiessen, Korakidis Highlight UT's Performances At Virginia Challenge
April 16, 2021 | Track & Field
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Tennessee track & field standouts Karl Thiessen and Georgios Korakidis highlighted the opening day of competition for the Big Orange at the Virginia Challenge. Thiessen ran the fastest 10,000-meter race by a Vol in 15 years, while Korakidis logged an NCAA top-15 mark with his victory in the hammer throw on Friday at UVA's Lannigan Field.
A redshirt sophomore from Abingdon, Virginia, Thiessen ran the 25-lapper for the first time in his career as he crossed the finish line in 29:07.61 for eighth place at the meet. The time was just 1.11 seconds away from entering Tennessee's all-time top-10 list and was the fastest top performance by a Vol since Zach Sabatino ran 29:05.59 in 2006.
Korakidis earned his first hammer throw victory since 2019 on Friday, logging a season-best heave of 67.80 meters (222-5) for the win in Charlottesville. The Kilkis, Greece, native and current Tennessee record holder now ranks No. 13 in the NCAA and No. 5 in the SEC during the 2021 outdoor campaign.
THROWS RECAP: In addition to Korakidis' hammer victory, the Tennessee throws squad was represented in the women's hammer throw and men's discus throw on Friday with three athletes logging season-best performances.
Lady Vol grad student Nayoka Clunis had a season-best mark of 61.94 meters (203-2) to improve her standing as the No. 2 hammer thrower in program history, placing fifth at the meet. Jordan West (56.59m / 185-8) and Chance Crawford (55.19m / 181-1) each logged lifetime-best marks in the discus, good for fourth and sixth at UVA respectively.
Six-time All-American and 2019 World Championship qualifier Stamatia Scarvelis (VFL 2016-19) also competed in the hammer throw, breaking her own meet record with a toss of 69.28 meters (227-3) to win the event in Charlottesville.
DISTANCE UPDATE: Tennessee redshirt junior and reigning SEC champion Alex Crigger took nine seconds off his season-best in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at UVA, clocking in at 8:51.08 to place sixth overall. Redshirt sophomore Katie Thronson also had a notable performance for the Tennessee distance crew, running the 1,500-meter for the first time since 2019 and turning in a personal-best time of 4:24.59.
JEFCOAT TABS SB: Lady Vol record holder Hannah Jefcoat eclipsed four meters for the first time this outdoor season on Friday, clearing a bar of 4.06 meters (13-3.75) to place sixth in the invite pole vault at the Virginia Challenge.
UP NEXT: Tennessee track & field will take part in two meets on Saturday, continuing action in Virginia and beginning competition at the USC Open in Columbia, South Carolina. UT is entered in 16 events throughout the day, starting at 11 a.m. with the women's 4x100-meter relay and ending at 6:25 p.m. with the men's 4x400-meter relay at South Carolina.
Full results from Friday at the Virginia Challenge can be viewed at this link. For the most up-to-date information on Tennessee track & field, follow @Vol_Track on Twitter.
A redshirt sophomore from Abingdon, Virginia, Thiessen ran the 25-lapper for the first time in his career as he crossed the finish line in 29:07.61 for eighth place at the meet. The time was just 1.11 seconds away from entering Tennessee's all-time top-10 list and was the fastest top performance by a Vol since Zach Sabatino ran 29:05.59 in 2006.
Korakidis earned his first hammer throw victory since 2019 on Friday, logging a season-best heave of 67.80 meters (222-5) for the win in Charlottesville. The Kilkis, Greece, native and current Tennessee record holder now ranks No. 13 in the NCAA and No. 5 in the SEC during the 2021 outdoor campaign.
THROWS RECAP: In addition to Korakidis' hammer victory, the Tennessee throws squad was represented in the women's hammer throw and men's discus throw on Friday with three athletes logging season-best performances.
Lady Vol grad student Nayoka Clunis had a season-best mark of 61.94 meters (203-2) to improve her standing as the No. 2 hammer thrower in program history, placing fifth at the meet. Jordan West (56.59m / 185-8) and Chance Crawford (55.19m / 181-1) each logged lifetime-best marks in the discus, good for fourth and sixth at UVA respectively.
Six-time All-American and 2019 World Championship qualifier Stamatia Scarvelis (VFL 2016-19) also competed in the hammer throw, breaking her own meet record with a toss of 69.28 meters (227-3) to win the event in Charlottesville.
DISTANCE UPDATE: Tennessee redshirt junior and reigning SEC champion Alex Crigger took nine seconds off his season-best in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at UVA, clocking in at 8:51.08 to place sixth overall. Redshirt sophomore Katie Thronson also had a notable performance for the Tennessee distance crew, running the 1,500-meter for the first time since 2019 and turning in a personal-best time of 4:24.59.
JEFCOAT TABS SB: Lady Vol record holder Hannah Jefcoat eclipsed four meters for the first time this outdoor season on Friday, clearing a bar of 4.06 meters (13-3.75) to place sixth in the invite pole vault at the Virginia Challenge.
UP NEXT: Tennessee track & field will take part in two meets on Saturday, continuing action in Virginia and beginning competition at the USC Open in Columbia, South Carolina. UT is entered in 16 events throughout the day, starting at 11 a.m. with the women's 4x100-meter relay and ending at 6:25 p.m. with the men's 4x400-meter relay at South Carolina.
Full results from Friday at the Virginia Challenge can be viewed at this link. For the most up-to-date information on Tennessee track & field, follow @Vol_Track on Twitter.
Players Mentioned
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Throws
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XC/Distance
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Pole Vault
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Throws
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Throws
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XC/Distance
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XC/Distance
/ Track & Field
Throws
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