Raleigh, N.C. — The George Mason track & field teams continued their outdoor season this past weekend at the Raleigh Relays, a three-day meet hosted by NC State from Thursday, March 26 through Saturday, March 28. The Patriots turned in a series of standout performances against some of the nation's top competition.
Fresh off being named Atlantic 10 Women's Track Performer of the Week, Ella Semple broke the outdoor school record in the women's 5000m, running 15:58.44—the only sub-16 mark in George Mason history. Competing against elite distance runners from across the country, Semple finished with the 17th-fastest time in a field of over 200. Her mark ranks first in the A-10 this season and 12th in NCAA Division I. Notably during the indoor season, Semple opened her campaign by breaking the school's indoor women's 5000m record at the BU Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener with a time of 16:04.84—highlighting her consistency and continued progression.
Lloyd Sheppard-Brown also delivered an impressive performance, running 29:48.80 in the men's 10000m. With his effort, he moves into eighth on the program's outdoor all-time list. His time ranks third in the A-10 and 42nd in NCAA Division I.
Abby Weening turned in a stellar season debut in the women's high jump, clearing 1.72m. Her mark ranks first in the A-10 and 41st in NCAA Division I. Improving on her previous outdoor best of 1.69m, Weening moves into a tie for seventh on the program's all-time list.
Fiona Agyekum recorded a personal best in the women's hammer throw with a mark of 52.39m. She ranks fourth in the A-10 and improves upon her previous outdoor best of 52.11m, maintaining her position at fourth on the program's all-time list.
Placing third in the men's pole vault invitational, Walt Bannerman cleared a season-best 5.27m. He continues to separate himself atop the A-10 event rankings. The improved mark ranks 17th in NCAA Division I and seventh on the East Region Qualifying List.
Kennedy Drish placed second in the women's pole vault invitational after clearing 4.21m.
Several other Patriots recorded conference-leading marks over the weekend. Now ranked first in the A-10 are Susan Adenitan in the women's 100m (11.89), Jordan Edwards in the men's 200m (21.20), Jalen Johnson in the men's 100m (10.59), and Helena Santacana in the women's 400m hurdles (1:00.77). Santacana's personal best also ranks 43rd on the NCAA Division I East Qualifying List.
Caleb Hyman set two personal bests over the weekend, running 1:51.18 in the men's 800m to rank second in the A-10 and 3:47.01 in the men's 1500m to rank fifth in the A-10.
Simone Hamlar recorded a personal best of 56.08 in the women's 400m, ranking third in the A-10.
The Patriots return to action at home as they are set to host the Dalton Ebanks Invitational from Friday, April 3 through Saturday, April 4 at George Mason Stadium.
