At the Alan Connie Shamrock Invitational, two athletes, Sofia Skidmore and Malea Bennewitz, set new school records, marking significant achievements for UNC Pembroke's track teams. Skidmore completed the women's one-mile run in 5:08.28, finishing seventh, while Bennewitz clocked 10:30.07 for fifth place in the 3000m. The men's 4x100 relay team took first with a time of 40.74, contributing to a successful event where the men secured fourth place overall with 69 points and the women finished 13th with 20 points. Overall, the event saw the teams achieve 18 personal bests and three new school records. Both squads are set to compete again at the Raleigh Relays on March 26.

By the Numbers
  • Sofia Skidmore鈥檚 time of 5:08.28 in the one-mile run marks a new school record.
  • Malea Bennewitz set a new record of 10:30.07 in the women's 3000m, finishing fifth.
Yes, But

While the records set by Skidmore and Bennewitz highlight individual achievements, the women鈥檚 team faced challenges overall, finishing 13th among the competitors, which raises questions about team depth moving forward.

State of Play
  • Men's track team finished fourth in the competition with 69 points, showcasing strong relay performances.
  • Women鈥檚 team placed 13th with 20 points, indicating a need for improvement in future competitions.
What's Next

As both teams head to the Raleigh Relays, they will aim to build on recent successes, possibly adding more personal bests and records to their portfolio as they train and compete against a wider field.

Bottom Line

The accomplishments of Skidmore and Bennewitz underscore significant growth in UNC Pembroke's track program, yet the teams must address depth and consistency as they move forward in the season to maximize their potential.