FAIRFAX, Va. – The Ursinus College track and field teams tested their mettle at today's Patriot Games Invitational hosted by George Mason University, competing against a talented field featuring Division I, II, and III athletes as well as several unattached athletes featuring former and future Olympians and a Gold medalist. The Bears acquitted themselves well, achieving a litany of personal bests, with multiple athletes posting marks that placed them squarely among the Centennial Conference elite.
On the women's side, senior Kristen Prijs placed ninth in the 500 with a time of 1:21.90, just a second off the school record. She came back shortly after to run a 27.59 in the 200-meter dash, just off her season best and good for 14th. Junior Erin Farrell registered a mark of 27.19, the third-best time in the Centennial Conference and enough for a ninth-place showing.
Senior Krista Snyder was impressive in the 400, her clocking of 1:03.75 placing her within the conference's top eight.
Freshman Brittany Gasser was ninth in a physical 800 (2:26.03), and fellow rookie Riley Engel posted a personal best with a Centennial Conference-qualifying time of 11:18.64 in the 3k.
For the men, senior Andrew Mackin stood out in the 800, coming in third – and second among collegiate competitors – with a personal best of 1:56.10, which currently stands as the third-best time in the conference and ranks 16th in Division III.
Sophomore Joseph Iuliucci also notched a personal standard in the mile (4:41.74), enough to qualify for the CC championships, and freshman Evan Cirafesi improved his PR to 4:45.71.
Freshman Sam Pope uncorked a conference-leading leap of 44-08 in the triple jump.
Senior James Hartop ran a personal best in the 3k (9:49.05), and classmate Erich Keyser advanced to the 60-meter hurdles semifinals with a 9.38.