The women’s track and field team defended the home turf as it blew by the competition during last weekend’s invitational. Three 1-2-3 sweeps and seven other first-place finishes helped the Red earn a 132.5 victory in the five-way meet.
Standing out from the crowd was senior Katy Jay. Despite returning from an injury, Jay still captured first in the 60, 200 and 400. The senior also picked up two ECAC qualifying times with her 25.02 and 57.10 finishes in the 200 and 400, respectively. While some might be satisfied with two ECAC qualifying finishes, Jay is not.
“I’d like to lower my 200 time,” said Jay, who is still a second off her personal record.
The Red did well as a team in the 60 and 200-meter events. Besides Jay’s top finish in both, Cornell captured four more of the final seven spots in both events.
Sophomore Jessica Brown also had several strong performances for the Red with an ECAC qualifying mark in the high jump, a first-place 800 finish and points in the 200. Brown’s 800-meter race was her first of the season.
“I was really focusing on the high jump,” said Brown. “I wanted to qualify.”
The sophomore went on to note that she is currently looking to surpass her 5-9 PR mark before the season’s end.
“I’m getting the vertical, but my form is just off right now,” commented Brown. “I’m working on the technical stuff.”
Finishing directly behind Brown in the 800 were senior Natalie Whelan and junior Ann Hansgate. Two more runners, freshman Ruth Morgan and sophomore Carrie Richards, chipped in points with fifth and sixth-place finishes, respectively.
Senior Sarah Herskee continued her streak of top performances in the throwing events. Her first place shot put mark of 44-10 3/4 also put her above the ECAC qualifying mark. Herskee went on to finish third in the weight throw.
Distance specialist junior Natalie Gingerich also had an ECAC qualifying time. The team leader in the 1,000 finished with a first place time of 2:56.99. Sophomore teammates Alison Koplar and Sarah Coseo also earned points for the Red with their respective third and fifth-place finishes.
In what was perhaps the most impressive display of the weekend, three of Cornell’s five distance medley relay teams finished with ECAC qualifying times.
The women will compete again next weekend in Massachusetts as they face the Harvard Crimson and Brown Bears. Races are set to begin at noon on Gordon Track.
Archived article by Matt Janiga