GWYNEDD VALLEY, Pa. – The Ursinus College women's track and field team shined brightly in the twilight at Gwynedd-Mercy's Mid-Week Invitational on Wednesday, racking up a bevy of personal bests and conference qualifiers with the conference championship just three weeks away.
Junior Erin Farrell opened her outdoor season in fine fashion, turning in a pair of impressive races. She placed fifth overall in the 100-meter dash (13.06) and was runner-up in the 200, where her mark of 26.41 tops the Centennial Conference charts, just ahead of senior teammate Kristen Prijs (26.59).
Sophomore Jenna Kelly logged a personal best in the 800, finishing sixth in a conference-qualifying time of 2:27.02, and classmate Meggie Leitz was eighth with her own PR of 2:31.13.
Paced wire to wire by associate head coach Crystal Burnick, freshman Riley Engel won the 5k in a collegiate best clocking of 19:23.70, outpacing the remainder of the field by almost 24 seconds. Engel's impressive time qualified her for both the 5k and 10k races at next month's CC outdoor championship. Sophomore Amanda Sierzega placed fifth with a PR of 20:55.73, and junior Alicia Baker recorded a season-best 21:21.76.
First-year Elizabeth Iobst notched a pair of PRs, finishing second in the 100-meter hurdles (17.77, 13th CC) and 400-meter hurdles (1:13.04, 11th CC).
Senior Danielle Grimes qualified for the conference meet with her fourth-place showing in the 3000-meter steeplechase (13:44.59).
Freshman Morgan Cope turned heads in her collegiate pole vault debut, finishing fourth and qualifying for the conference championship by clearing an even eight feet.
Senior Kimberly Snow (14-8.00) and freshman Caroline Buckley (14-2.25) had season bests in the long jump, where they placed fifth and seventh, respectively, and Buckley later finished second in the triple jump at 33-0.50, just off her personal record. Cope was seventh in the triple, tallying a PR of 31-11.50.
Junior Erin Specht joined seniors Krista Snyder and Snow in qualifying for the outdoor championship in the javelin. The trio all landed within the top seven overall; Specht led the way with a 97-6.00, Snyder finished with a 91-11.00, and Snow had a 91-4.00.