CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia men’s and women’s track & field team qualified 11 athletes to compete in 12 events at the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Championships at Hayward Field hosted by the University of Oregon on Wednesday through Saturday, June 11-14.
The Cavalier contingent includes Margot Appleton (1500m, 5000m), Annika Kelly (Hammer), Celia Rifaterra (High Jump), Jenny Schilling (10,000m), Carly Tarentino (High Jump) and Estel Valeanu (Discus) on the women’s side. On the men’s side, Will Daley (5000m), Keyandre Davis (Hammer), Gary Martin (1500m), Alex Sherman (400m Hurdles) and Justin Wachtel (5000m) will represent UVA. Qualifying to the Championships site is accomplished through performance in the First Rounds. Twelve competitors from each individual event and twelve teams from each relay event advance from each First Round site.
Appleton Headed Back to NCAAs
Margot Appleton will make her third consecutive trip to the NCAA Outdoor Championships after a strong 1500-meter quarterfinal and 5000-meter semifinal race.
- Winning the first heat of two, Appleton executed a strategic race crossing the line in 4:08.04 which was good for sixth overall.
- Appleton has been the national leader in the event for much of the season with her personal best and school record time of 4:05.68 from the 2025 Raleigh Relays. Her time ranks fourth all-time in collegiate history.
- Less than three hours later, Appleton toed the line in the women’s 5000-meters where she finished second in her heat and second overall.
- Appleton secured an automatic bid to the championships clocking 15:25.99.
- At the NCAA Outdoor Championships a year ago, Appleton finished fourth in the 5000-meters in a time of 15:24.24 to earn first-team All-American honors.
- The top five in each heat and the next two fastest times advance.
- Dominant all season, Appleton will look to make noise in the 1500-meters and 5000-meters at the national level.
That’s 2⃣ tickets for Margot Appleton!
1500m ✅
5000m ✅#GoHoos pic.twitter.com/NLIjlgpuPs— Virginia Track & Field and Cross Country (@UVATFCC) June 1, 2025
Kelly Punched a Ticket to Eugene
Annika 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…