The Virginia Tech women put on a show last week at the 2021 NCAA track and field championship as Lindsey Butler, Lauren Berman, Eszter Bajnok, and Essence Henderson earned All-American nods. Overall, the Hokies finished the championships with seven All-Americas.
“We had a good meet here,” Director of Track and Field Dave Cianelli said. “The highlights were Alexios in the Hammer, Essence in the discus and Diego in the 1500m. Two school records and a lifetime best for Alexios. Lindsey Butler finishing as a first team All American in the 800m at her first outdoor NCAA meet was a very good effort. The level at this meet continues to get better, and we have to do the same. We have a young team so I am already looking forward to next year.”
Essence Henderson put together the greatest performance in the discus throw in Tech history. She broke her own school record on her first throw of the day, and then on her third throw, she unleashed a bomb that flew 189′ 4″ (57.72m), shattering the record she had set just two throws prior. Henderson finished the event in seventh after entering the day seeded 31st and claimed first team All-American honors.
Prolific 800m runner Lindsey Butler roared to a sixth-place finish in the event with a time of 2:02.83 to become a first team All-American. With 200m to go, Butler accelerated at breakneck pace to make up the distance between 10th and 6th place with an effort that secured her status as an All-American both indoors and outdoors in the 800m.
Lauren Berman finished in 11th place in the 1500m with a time of 4:16.37 amidst fierce and hard-nosed racing. In concluding her Virginia Tech career, Berman claimed second-team All-American honors.
In the triple jump, Eszter Bajnok wrapped up her third appearance at the NCAA Outdoor Championships with a 12th-place finish with a best leap of 43′ 9.75″ (13.35m). The graduate from Kethely, Hungary, took home a second- team All-America nod, adding to her first team honor from 2018.
The Hokies finished the national championship meet with seven total All-Americans and two honorable mentions with Alexios Prodanas providing the highest finish for the Tech men at fifth place in the hammer throw. While the NCAA season has concluded, several Hokies will take a shot at national competition with the USATF Olympic Trials set to begin Friday, June 18.
On the first day of men’s competition at the 2021 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, the Hokies delivered gutsy performances and exceptional effort. Alexios Prodanas and Diego Alejandro Zarate highlighted the day at the final meet of the season.
To kick off the national championships for Virginia Tech, Prodanas produced a signature performance in the hammer throw, complete with big throws and even bigger yells. The mild-mannered senior from Kilkis, Greece, showed his passion for his sport by shouting as each throw left his hands. His emotion was well-founded as two of his throws shattered his lifetime best, finishing with a top mark in the competition of 233′ 2″ (71.08m). That throw in the third round gave Prodanas fifth in the national meet and earned the ACC champion first-team All-American honors.
“What an incredible performance by Alexios,” Associate Head Coach Andrew Dubs said. “History was made today with this being the deepest hammer throw competition in collegiate history. For Alexios to stay focused and put himself right there in the mix, it was just outstanding.
“We had a plan, he executed it perfectly,” Dubs said. “With a meet and field of this caliber, you have to treat every throw like the sixth round. You have to be ready to throw far from the opening round, and that is exactly what he did. His focus and execution today are a credit to his dedication and work ethic throughout the year.
“Watching him on a daily basis, seeing what he puts into this, and how he goes above and beyond has been incredible,” the associate head coach said. “Make no mistake about it, he unquestionably earned every single bit of this. He bought in from day one, he worked his tail off, he is an incredible teammate, he is a leader, he is one of the nicest and most respectful individuals you will meet. To Alexios, it is a true pleasure and my honor to coach you. Today, I am just a really proud coach.”
Cole Beck wrapped up his historic season Wednesday night as well, finishing 12th in the 100m and just missing out on a berth in the finals. His performance gave him second-team All-America honors. The first men’s 100m ACC champion in Virginia Tech history capped off his outstanding individual season as only the second Hokie to compete in the event at the NCAA Championships.
Beck joined Patrick Forrest, Cameron Rose, and Tyreke Sapp in the Hokies’ 4x400m relay, and the group finished 19th for All-American honorable mention nods.
