The Lion’s came home from Moravian College this weekend with great scores, and a handful of Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) qualifying times.
Men and women’s outdoor track and field teams participated in the Greyhound Invitational in Bethlehem, Pa. They battled against athletes from more than 10 different universities, including those from Division I teams.
“The high winds and cool temperatures made fast times more challenging,” head coach Phillip Jennings said. “So we focused more on competition rather than simply fast times.” Not only did the Lion’s place in their races, many of the athletes clenched top, qualifying scores, and personal and season bests.
Junior Kyle Gilroy had a big second-place finish in the 400-meter hurdle event. In the 110-meter Gilroy finished with a 15.45, a time qualifying him in the ECAC. When he teamed up with sophomore Justin Worthing, freshman Robert Searby and senior Steve Murray for the 4x400 relay, the Lion’s took first place with an ECAC-qualifying time of 3:22.11. Murray also competed in the 400-meter race and again, finished first of all the Division III runners.
Continuing to make marks, the College’s Dennis Waite, junior, was the first to cross the finish line in the 1500-meter race. His time of 3:59.64 qualified him for the ECAC competition, also. As freshman, Andy Gallagher, finished the 3000-meter steeplechase at 10:03.33, he too qualified for the competition.
In the field events, senior Zach Goldstein threw 49.38 meters in the hammer throw. His score ranked him first out of Division III athletes and qualifying him for the ECAC.
The women had great results in the Greyhound Invitational, but also made extraordinary moves the night before at the Larry Ellis Invitational at Princeton University. There, Lions athletes competed in elite distance races, in hopes of qualifying for the NCAA.
“The depth of competition in that meet is unmatched by other meets in the northeast,” Jennings said.
Senior Jianna Spadaccini ran 2:12.51, adding her name to the NCAA championship list. Last year, Spadaccini came in second, nationally. And senior Michelle Wallace qualified with a 4:35.43 in the women’s 1500-meter, a personal best.
On Saturday at the Greyhound Invitational, the women’s success continued. Spadaccini teamed up with junior Meryl Wimberly, freshman Brielle Doremus and freshman Kim Shelus, to take first place in the 4x400. Their time of 3:57.70 was an ECAC qualifier.
In the 100-meter hurdle, senior Priscilla Senyah finished with a 14.94, an NCAA provisional qualifier. She also placed second in the 100-meter and third in the 200-meter dash, extremely impressive accomplishments, considering she ran against a number of Division I athletes.
Megan Miller, a senior, also finished with a NCAA provisional qualifying score in the 400-meter hurdle.
“Although we have quite a few members who are consistently at the top of their events and qualifying for nationals, they are not the only people we rely on,” freshman Rachel Morris said. Many of the athletes have contributed to the College’s success this season.
Morris placed second in the 5000-meter race, and qualified for the ECAC competition.
Junior Sarah Wehran and senior Ashley Krauss both set their personal bests in the field events, and freshman Mary Chismar took sixth place in the shot put throw, setting a season best and qualifying for the ECACs.
Before NJACS we have our home meet, the Lions’ Invitational next weekend.
This week, the College track and field athletes will prepare to “dominate the competition,” senior Deshard Stevens said. On Thursday, the team will travel to the University of Pennsylvania for Penn Relays, and this weekend, they will host the Lion’s Invitational at home.
“We would love for people to come out and help support us,” Morris said.
