LEXINGTON, Va. — The George Mason track and field program collected three first-place finishes at the VMI Indoor Classic on Friday in Lexington, Va. 

Senior Jaylen Simmons won the weight throw with a mark of 19.80 meters. He surpassed 19 meters on three of his throws. Senior Garsen Gross tabbed a PR in the event (16.15m), finishing sixth.

Mason took the top two spots in the women's pole vault, led by junior Hannah Robertson with a winning mark of 3.80m. Senior Autumn White finished second (3.65m) while freshman Amber Askelson placed fourth (3.35m).

Junior Dhiambi Otete took third in the women's triple jump (11.59m), followed by Laura DeMarzi in fourth (11.56m) and Micayah Upshaw in sixth (11.42m). Freshman RJ Lightbourne notched fourth on the men's side with a PR of 14.00 meters. 

Elsewhere on the track, senior Kelly-Ann Downer placed first in the 400m (56.74) while sophomore Michka-Mae Hyde took fourth (57.54). Sophomore Jarett Flaker tied for second on the men's side (48.17). 

Senior Cason Gardner qualified for the 60m hurdles finals which will take place on Saturday. He posted a time of 8.50 to finish third in the semifinals. On the women's side, freshman Abby Weening placed sixth in the prelims to qualify for the next round (9.14). 

Freshman Jalen Johnson qualified for the 60m dash finals on Saturday after winning his heat in the semifinals (6.96). Freshman Noelle Foss and senior GJaudy John-Wallace each advanced to the 60m dash semifinals, finishing 10th and 11th, respectively. 

Also competing on Friday were four Patriots at the David Hemery Valentine Invite, hosted by Boston University. 

Junior Sarah Francis broke her PR in the 3000m with a time of 9:41.64 — good for seventh all-time at Mason. Also breaking into Mason's record books was Alexis Anderson. She posted a PR of 2:12.52 in the 800m which ranks eighth all-time in indoor program annals. 

Graduate student Louisa Whittingham set a personal-best in the 5000m (17:32.14) while Noelle Saine notched a PR in the mile (5:03.28).

Mason continues competition at both the VMI Indoor Classic and David Hemery Valentine Invite on Saturday.