Bucknell University
Penn Relays
Maria Garcia Breaks School Record for Fourth-Straight Meet as Bison Open Penn Relays
4/22/2004 8:00:00 AM | Women's Track and Field
April 22, 2004
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Maria Garcia is making a habit out of breaking her own school record in the hammer throw, doing so in each of the past four meets this outdoor season including the Penn Relays which Bucknell started today. Her personal best is now 198'8", which is 6 ? feet better than the mark she set last week at the Bucknell Five-Way. Garcia wasn't the only Bison to break a school record, though, as Melanie Buczko claimed the outdoor pole vault record to add to the indoor mark she already owns.
The Bucknell track and field teams competed six individuals and one relay squad on day one of the Penn Relays in Philadelphia, with five women, plus the relay team, and Greg Costello representing the men in the 5K. Costello finished 11th in the collegiate competition, completing the race in 14:35.30.
Garcia's toss won the women's college hammer throw, continuing the perfect five-for-five run in winning hammer competitions this year. There was also a "championship" division in which only three throwers outdistanced Garcia. Fellow thrower Marjorie Grap competed in the shot put, finishing 10th in the eastern college division with a toss of 42'9 ?". There were also a non-sectional college division and a "championship" division in the shot put.
Buczko vaulted 12'7 ?", breaking the Bucknell mark set by Andrea Nyce of 11'11 ?" set in 2001. The only higher vault for any Bison woman is Buczko's indoor record of 12'9 ?". She finished third in the competition, behind Pittsburgh's Marissa Dudek (13'1 ?") and Arkansas' Jodi Driggers (12'10 ?"). Angie Hall also competed in the event, but was unable to clear her starting height.
Bucknell's women's distance medley relay team finished 12th in its race with a time of 12:10.99, the fifth fastest time in Bucknell history. Christa Sawko, Amy Calvo, Jennifer Stevens and Jennifer Marsh combined for that top-10 time. Sawko also competed in the 400-meter hurdles, finishing 41st in her race in 1:05.11.
The Penn Relays will continue Friday and Saturday. The Bison will also have competitors at The College of New Jersey Invitational on both days.
