Delaware Dominates Action at Morgan State; Wins Six Titles, Sets Three School Records

 

BALTIMORE, Md. -- The University of Delaware women’s outdoor track & field squad dominated the action Saturday at the Morgan State University Legacy Track & Field Meet at Hughes Stadium as the Blue Hens won the team title and posted six individual first place finishes.

In addition to the six individual titles, Delaware athletes set three school records and four qualified for the ECAC Championships to be held in May at Princeton.

“This was a great team effort today,” said Delaware head coach Wendy McFarlane. “It was a beautiful day for some good performances and the team took advantage. I am proud of the performances so far this season. Our main focus is to go into the conference meet looking as strong as we are, which means getting everyone healthier and in the mind set to win.”

Delaware earned 153 points to win the meet team title and easily surpass host and runner-up Morgan State, which had 96 points. Hampton was third followed by Pittsburgh, UMES, Delaware State, UMBC, Howard, Villanova, and Coppin State in the 20-team field.

athlete photoEarning first place finishes for the Blue Hens were Nicole Daly in the 5,000 meters (18:00.59), Jennifer Holly in the pole vault (11-3 3/4), Meg O’Bren in the 3,000m steeplechase (12:15.25), Kelsey Evancho (at left) in the high jump (5-7), Jillian Seamon in the javelin (127-0), and Courtney Sniscak in the hammer (162-4).

Evancho set a new UD freshman record with her leap of 5-7 in the high jump, besting her own mark of 5-5 3/4 set earlier this seasons. Prettyman placed fifth in the 800 meters with a time of 2:13.67, breaking her own school record of 2:13.71 set last season and James finished second in the 100 meter hurdles with a clocking of 13.58, besting her own school record of 13.87 set several weeks ago.

Prettyman, Evancho, James, and Toresha Foster (400 meters) all qualified for the ECAC meet with their performances.

The Hens also recorded four runner-up finishes led by James in the 100 meter hurdles, Michele Lambert in the 5,000 meters (18:19.60), Kayla Koonz in the 3,000 meter steeplechase (12:22.55), and Courtney Markow in the pole vault (11-3 3/4).

Alana Pantale posted three top 10 finishes during the meet as she finished fourth in both the shot put (44-1 1/2) and discus (136-10) and fifth in the hammer (141-10).

AGATE: 

Final Team Standings: 1. Delaware - 153; 2. Morgan State - 96; 3. Hampton - 95.5; 4. Pittsburgh - 92; 5. UMES - 71; 6. Delaware State - 56; 7. UMBC - 52; 8. Howard - 26; 9. Villanova - 22; 10. Coppin State - 19.5......19. Prince George’s CC & Cheyney - 1.

Delaware Top 15 Finishers:
1st Place - Nicole Daly, 5,000m (18:00.59); Jennifer Holly, pole vault (11-3 3/4); Kelsey Evancho, high jump (5-7; UD Freshman Record; ECAC Qualifier); Jillian Seamon, javelin (127-0); Courtney Sniscak, hammer (162-4); Meg O’Brien, 3,000m steeplechase (12:15.25)
2nd - Michele Lambert, 5,000m (18:19.60); Latoya James, 100m hurdles (13.58/UD Record/ECAC Qualifier); Kayla Koonz, 3,000m steeplechase (12:22.55); Courtney Markow, pole vault (11-3 3/4); 
3rd - Alyssa Kennedy, 5,000m (18:32.93); Paige Morris, long jump (18-7); Vicky Caruso, 400m (53.87/ECAC Qualifier)
4th- Toresha Foster, 400m (55.77/ECAC Qualifier); Alana Pantale, discus (136-10); shot put (44-1 1/2); Alexis Gligor pole vault (9-10); Haley Gorenflo, pole vault (9-10); Katie Deinert, 5,000m (18:38.76)
5th - Alana Pantale, hammer (141-10); Paige Morris, triple jump (38-0 1/4); Lindsay Prettyman, 800m (2:13.67; UD Record/ECAC Qualifier); 
6th - Breanna Nicholson, 400m hurdles (1:04.05)
7th - 4 x 100 Relay (Coleman, Evancho, Shepherd, Muro), 49.62
9th - Aretha Ettarh, hammer (127-4); shot put (41-8); 4 x 400m Relay (Foster, Nicholson, Prettyman, Carroll), 3:54.66
10th - Nicole Rittman, 5,000m (19:16.66); Courtney Sniscak, discus (115-3); Spencer Nendza, triple jump (35-4 1/4); Emily Gispert, 800m (2:17.15)
12th - 4 x 400m Relay (Brooks, Donovan, Shepherd, Gervais), 4:03.94; Kharys Whitehead, 1,500m (5:02.66)
13th - McKensie Walker, 400m hurdles (1:05.89)
15th - Bethany Fox, 400m hurdles (1:06.06)