Breaks Standard in Javelin
RICHMOND, VA - Sophomore Brenna Blevins (Pulaski, VA) became the Tribe's first ECAC qualifier of the outdoor season as four-time defending CAA Champion William and Mary women's track and field opened its outdoor season Saturday on the final day of the Virginia Commonwealth Ram Invitational. The meet featured CAA rivals James Madison, Towson and VCU as well as state foe Richmond among over a dozen teams.Blevins, who qualified for ECACs in the javelin as a rookie in her debut in the event, wasted no time in repeating the feat, throwing for 133'7" to break the qualification mark in the first outdoor meet of the season, claiming fourth in the event. Junior Liz Hager (Max Meadows, VA), just missed an ECAC qualification in the javelin with her personal-record distance of 131'0", claiming sixth place with a throw just over six feet better than her previous best. Blevins continued her strong day in the high jump where she claimed third place with a height of 5'3", just an inch off a personal best, and also set a career-fast time in the 400m, clocking a 59.87 for 10th.
Senior Ayanna Jones (Richmond, VA) returned with a strong meet after a redshirt season, winning the shot with a throw of 43'3", leading three Tribe athletes in the top five. Senior Cassidy Harris (Geneva, IL) claimed second in the event with a throw of 42'1.5" while sophomore Jen Showker (Harrisonburg, VA) claimed fifth with a solid effort of 40'10.25", a season best.
Junior Bonnie Meekins (Oakton, VA) claimed fourth in the finals of the 100m hurdles with a personal record 15.17 after qualifying out of prelims with a 15.29. Senior sprinter Naomi Mattos (Woodbridge, VA) stepped up to the 800m and turned in a strong effort, clocking a 2:20.11, the second-fastest Tribe time this season, for fourth place. Sophomore Kathleen Woody (Oakton, VA) also claimed fourth in the 200m with a solid time of 26.63 as sophomore Mary Whitehead (Dulles, VA) timed a personal record 12.73 in the 100m for ninth, one spot shy of advancing to the finals.
Also this Saturday, interim head coach Kathy Newberry competed on the United States team at the World Cross Country Championships in Saint Galmier, France. In her second-consecutive season representing the U. S., Newberry finished in 38th place, timing a 29:14 for 8,000m as the third-highest finishing American in a field of 94 harriers.
Tribe women's track and field is back in action with split squads next Friday and Saturday as the team will send athletes to N. C. State's Raleigh Relays and Richmond's Fred Hardy Invitational.