JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Virginia women’s track and field program kickstarted competition on the women’s opening day at the NCAA East Preliminary round at Hodges Stadium on Thursday (May 29) as Annika Kelly and Jenny Schilling punched their tickets to the NCAA Outdoor Championships in the hammer throw and 10,000-meters while Margot Appleton and Stella Kermes advanced to the quarterfinals in the 1500-meters.
Kelly Punches Ticket to Eugene
Annike Kelly booked her ticket to the NCAA Outdoor Championships for the first time in her career with a record-breaking performance in the women’s hammer throw.
- Kelly broke the Virginia program record in the women’s hammer throw for the third time this season throwing for 64.94m/213-1 on her first appearance in the ring.
- Her mark was good for eighth place overall in the competition and solidified her spot for the NCAA Outdoor Championships.
- All three of her throws surpassed 64 meters as she threw for 64.29m/210-11 and 64.67m/212-2 on her second and third attempts.
- The senior entered the East Regional round as the 14th seed among the top 48 athletes that qualify to the regional rounds.
- This marks the fourth consecutive year in which Kelly has competed at the NCAA East Regional (prev. Princeton) and the first year in which she advanced to the final site.
- Kelly will look to be the first Cavalier since Maureen Laffan to earn All-American honors in the event. Laffan garnered second team honors in 2012 with a 14th place finish and mark of 59.89m/196-6.
𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐊𝐄𝐓 = 𝐏𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐃👊🎟️
Annika Kelly punched her ticket to the NCAA Outdoor Championships with an 8⃣th place finish in the women’s hammer throwing a new personal best of 64.94m/213-1!#GoHoos pic.twitter.com/cMZEgtzdn5
— Virginia Track & Field and Cross Country (@UVATFCC) May 29, 2025
Schilling is NCAA Outdoor Championships Bound
Jenny Schilling punched her ticket to the NCAA Outdoor Championships for the first time in her career in the women’s 10,000-meters.
- Schilling ran a season-best 32:51.43 to finish ninth in the field of 48 runners.
- In her NCAA East Regional debut, Schilling qualified to her first NCAA Outdoor Championships.
- A season of firsts continues, as she was recently crowned the ACC Outdoor Champion while competing in her first ACC Outdoor Championship meet.
- She also owns the school record in the event which stands at 32:44.19.
- Schilling will look to be the first Cavalier All-American…