The Valparaiso track and field teams kicked off competition on Thursday at the Tennessee Relays Powered by Sea Ray. Multi-events, the hammer throw and the 10,000 meter run all took place on the first day of action at Tom Black Track at LaPorte Stadium.

Sarah Drozdowski (Roselle, Ill./Lake Park) improved her personal best and second best mark in school history in the hammer throw with a massive toss of 53.90m/176-10, almost six feet farther than her previous best and two inches off from tying the all-time mark of Holly Hagen. She finished in eighth place.

In the men’s section, Jacob Smutz (West Lafayette, Ind./Harrison) and Chris Sosnowski (Greenfield, Ind./Greenfield Central) both finished in the top 16. Smutz finished 13^th with a mark of 54.78m/179-9 while Sosnowski set the fourth-best throw in school history with a 53.40m/175-2 toss.

Max Morello (Plano, Ill./Plano) finished 17^th in the 10,000 meter run, crossing the finish in 33:52.20.

Valpo continues action at the Tennessee Relays on Friday. Live results can be found at ValpoAthletics.com and full results and recaps will be posted following conclusion of day two.