NCAA

Vanoppen and Kitchell Earn Silver Medals During Final Day of 2023 ACC Indoor Track & Field Championships

Vanoppen and Kitchell Earn Silver Medals During Final Day of 2023 ACC Indoor Track & Field Championships


LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Wake Forest men’s and women’s indoor track & field teams had another stellar outing Saturday as the Demon Deacons earned two silver medals to conclude the 2023 ACC Indoor Track & Field Championships.
 
After securing his spot in the final of the men’s mile less than 24 hours prior, graduate student Thomas Vanoppen ran a stellar 3:59.09 in the mile Saturday to place second, earning his second-consecutive All-ACC nod. Additionally, Paul Specht placed fifth in the event, garnering All-ACC honors in his freshman campaign.
 
Vanoppen was joined by junior Thomas Kitchell as the only Deacs to earn podium finishes as Kitchell tossed 18.63m, finishing second in the men’s shot put. Of note, Kitchell also placed second in the shot put a season ago at the 2022 ACC Indoor Track & Field Championships.
 
Overall, Wake Forest earned two podium finishes for the meet. Additionally, seven Deacs earned All-ACC honors.
 
All-ACC Honorees

 
Day One Recap – Thursday, Feb. 23

During day one of the 2023 ACC Indoor Track & Field Championships, junior Addison Berry became the first Deac to garner All-ACC honors as she accumulated 4,015 points in the pentathlon, marking the second-most points in the event in school history. Berry’s stellar pentathlon performance was highlighted by fourth place finishes in the high jump and the shot put, respectively.
 
Despite a loaded field in the men’s 5,000m, freshman Joe O’Brien clocked 13:57.38 to finish fourth, claiming All-ACC honors in the process.
 
Graduate student Andrew White had another excellent performance in the weight throw as the Canton, Ohio native tossed 21.60m, finishing fourth.
 
Overall, the Deacs recorded two top-five finishes between the two programs during day one of the annual event.
 
Day Two Recap – Friday, Feb. 24
During day two, senior Emma Soderstrom earned All-ACC honors for the second-consecutive season in the high jump as the Gothenburg, Sweden native jumped 1.74m to finish sixth. Of note, Soderstrom placed third in the event a season ago.
 
Wake Forest dominated the preliminary round of the men’s mile as the Demon Deacons became one of only two schools to have multiple participants qualify for the finals in the event. Vanoppen had a stellar performance, clocking 4:04.44 and winning his heat.
 
Freshman Paul Specht also had an excellent showing in the mile Friday as…

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