Gillespie wins at Virginia Tech

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Sophomore Kristen Gillespie and freshman Stephanie Brown combined for a 1-2 finished in the 1,000 meters to highlight day one of competition at the Virginia Tech Invitational for Arkansas Razorback women’s track and field.

"We are running at not our normal distances," head coach Lance Harter said. "This is what east coast track is like, the 500 meters, the 1,000 meters. This meet gives us a chance to see some different competition and test ourselves at different distance. Kristen Gillespie and Stephanie Brown going 1-2 in the 1,000 meters was definitely a highlight for us. Whitney Jones ran well in the 300 meters considering she has been dealing with a sore hamstring. Leah Orley was also impressive in the 500 meters. We have good momentum going to start off the season."

Gillespie clocked a winning time of 2:45.86 to take the tape in the 1,000 meters. Brown was second in 2:49.19 and freshman Taylor Johnson finished fifth with a time of 2:57.58. Gillespie is undefeated in 2010, also having won the mile at the Arkansas Invitational to open the season.

The Razorbacks also picked up top-five finishes from Samantha Learch in the mile (second, 4:52.42), Jones in the 300 meters (fourth, 38.65) and Orley in the 500 meters (fourth, 1:14.64). Learch’s time in the mile was a six-second personal best.

Also competing on Friday were Martine Borge (500 meters, 13th, 1:17.70), Gwendolyn Flowers (300 meters, 20th, 40.42), Brittany Hyter (60-meter hurdles, 17th, 8.94p) and Rachel Werner (60 meters, 24th, 7.94p).

The Razorbacks will continue competition at the Virginia Tech Invitational on Saturday. For more information, visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.