COLLEGEVILLE, Pa. – A sensational performance from its sprinters helped the Ursinus College women's track and field team post a second-place finish at its annual Collegeville Classic on Saturday.
Senior Brittany Gasser highlighted the day with a victory in the 400-meter dash for the Bears, who landed behind only Haverford in a 19-team field inside the Floy Lewis Bakes Center. Gasser was over 2.50 seconds clear of the runner-up from Virginia Wesleyan with a strong time of 1:01.30 in her first competition of the indoor campaign.
In addition to Gasser, freshman Kate Hunt and sophomores Rachel Coleman and Michela Coleman turned in impressive performances in the sprints. Hunt was fourth in both the 60-meter dash (8.18) and 200-meter dash (27.48). Rachel Coleman placed third in the 200 with a mark of 27.46, and Michela finished eighth in 27.76 to go with a seventh-place effort in the 400 (1:05.51).
Gasser also joined sophomore Meredith Steele, freshman Jamie Mater, and senior Gabrielle Manto to land in third place in the distance medley relay (13:37.46).
Senior Morgan Cope followed up school record in the season-opening Diplomat Open with another solid mark in the pole vault, placing second by clearing an even 10 feet.
Sophomore Gianna Speranza took third in the high jump at 4-11.0, and sophomore Neve Durrwatched finished fifth at 4-5.00. Speranza also qualified for the finals in the 60-meter dash, clocking in at 8.42 seconds in prelims before placing 11th in the final.
Freshman Rosie Cuomo and sophomore Kira Miller both made the final in the 60-meter hurdles, where Cuomo placed 11th and Miller 12th.
First-year Tori Bearden finished fifth in the triple jump (32-10.25).
Sophomore Vikki Rueda-Juarez and junior Sophia Simoes each finished just outside of scoring range in the shot put. Rueda-Juarez checked in at 10th place with a toss of 33-9.50, and Simoes was 11th at 33-7.50.
Junior Alyson Manley was ninth in the 3-kilometer run (12:17.56).