SALEM, Va.  — Senior Joe O'Connor (Henrico, Va./Douglas Freeman) broke his own school record in the pole vault to pace the Washington and Lee men's track and field on day one of the Bast-Cregger Invitational on Friday.

Highlights From the Meet

• O'Connor cleared 4.84m (15'10.50") to take first in the event, breaking his school record of 4.83m set on March 1, 2020. It also set a new facility mark, breaking the previous best of 4.65m. Later on Friday, O'Connor finished fifth in the high jump at 1.85m (6'0.75").
• The Generals claimed three of the Top 8 spots in the 5,000m. Senior Ethan Bernstein (Bethlehem, Pa./Saucon Valley) finished first in 15:32.11, sophomore Josh Fingerhut (Havertown, Pa./Haverford Township) placed fifth (15:51.53) and first-year Thomas Kallen (Charlottesville, Va./Western Albemarle) took eighth in 15:58.99.

School Record
- Senior Joe O'Connor (Pole Vault – 4.84m [15'10.50"]), broke his own record of 4.83m (15'10.00"), which was set on March 1, 2020.
 
Top 8 Finishes
Senior Joe O'Connor (1st) – Pole Vault (4.84m [15'10.50"])
Senior Ethan Bernstein (1st) – 5,000m (15:32.11)
Sophomore Josh Fingerhut (5th) – 5,000m (15:51.53)
Senior Joe O'Connor (5th) – High Jump (1.85m [6'0.75"])
Sophomore Mark Waller (6th) – High Jump (1.80m [5'10.75"])
First-year Thomas Kallen (8th) – 5,000m (15:58.99)

New Personal Bests
Senior Ethan Bernstein – 5,000m (15:32.11) – Indoor PR
Senior Joe O'Connor – Pole Vault (4.84m [15'10.50"])
Junior Holden Robinson – 5,000m (16:23.81)
Sophomore Mark Waller – High Jump (1.80m [5'10.75"]) – Ties PR
Senior Nick Watson – 5,000m (16:10.27)

Up Next
The team finishes up competition at the Bast-Cregger Invitational on Saturday, starting at 11:00 am.