It was a record setting meet for the women’s track and field team as the Owls competed at Boston University’s Terrier Invitational two-day event.
With over 30 schools competing, the Owls continued their successful momentum in the third indoor meet of the year as some athletes, including a couple of freshmen, were able to qualify for the Eastern College Athletic Conference Track and Field Championship in March while setting a few personal bests.
On the track, senior Anna Pavone wasted no time in the 3000m, shaving off two hundredth of a second from her teammate, Jenna Dubrow’s 2012 record of 10:07:92, setting a new school record of 10:05.05.
“Anna has been on a roll since cross country,” Coach Eric Mobley said. “She had a great cross country season. She and Jenna opened up with her first 5k and to come back in the first meet since we have been back to break the school record only shows how far she has come and what more she is capable of.”
It was a close finish between junior Michelle Davis-Timothy and freshman Kenya Gaston in the 400m. Davis-Timothy was able to edge out her teammate finishing 20th with a time of 56.74 to Gaston’s 21st place time of 56.94, nevertheless, both times secured a qualifying spot in the ECAC.
In the field events, junior Margo Britton and freshman Jimma McCluskey also qualified for the ECAC in their respective events finishing in the Top 10. Britton took third place in the shot put with her longest throw of the day 14.63. McCluskey finished sixth in the long jump with a time of 5.72m.
During this early stage in the indoor season the freshmen are quickly getting acclaimed to collegiate athletics.
“It’s good to come in as a freshman and get those qualifying marks and time to learn the event and again to make those adjustments,” Mobley said. “You know we are really excited about that and we are taking one meet at a time, one practice at a time. I think it’s good and we are only going to get better.”
In the 200m, freshmen Bionca St. Fleur and McCluskey set new personal bests as St. Fleur finished 26th in 25.23, while McCluskey came in with a time of 25.29 for 29th place.
“[The freshmen] are doing well,” Mobley said. “They are learning what it takes to be Division I athletes. The commitment level and the demand on school and athletics is a lot different and I think they are making those adjustments. As they continue to do that and continue to listen to the coaches and continue to do good in the weight room and work hard at practice that transition will get easier and easier.”
Sophomore Courtney Mitchell got off to a blistering start in the 60m dash. Mitchell ran a collegiate-best of 7.99 placing 25th overall. In the 500m, junior Kaitlyn McSurdy ran a time of 1:20.70 setting a personal best in the 500m. McSurdy finished 36th overall.
In the 1000m, freshman Rachel Flynn was the top finisher for the Owls’ finishing 32nd in 3:10.59.
The women will next compete in the Penn State National Open two-day meet beginning on Friday.
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