Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Women's Outdoor Track & Field Picked to Finish First in Patriot League
3/18/2006 7:00:00 AM | Women's Track and Field
March 18, 2006
LEWISBURG, Pa. - As anticipated, the Bucknell women's track and field team has been picked to finish first in the Patriot League, in a poll made-up of the league's sports information directors and coaches, the league office announced on Friday afternoon. If the Bison do fulfill the prediction, they will bring home their third consecutive outdoor first place finish.
The Orange and Blue return four 2005 individual champions in juniors Marjorie Grap (Van Etten, N.Y./Spencer-Van Etten), Melanie Buczko (Butler, Pa./Butler), Anne Doty (Punxsutawney, Pa./Punxsutawney) and Christa Sawko (Montoursville, Pa./Montoursville).
Grap returns as the reigning gold medalist in the discus, with a mark of 134 feet, 3 inches, and also in the shot put, 43-9. Grap also placed second in the hammer throw (165-8) and was named the Field Athlete of the Meet.
Buczko was last year's pole vault gold medalist, as well as the Patriot League Championship record breaker, with a leap of 12-5 1/2.
In the triple jump, Doty returns to look for her third consecutive individual title, as she won the event at last year's meet with a leap of 39 1/2, while Sawko will try for her second consecutive title in the 800-meter run (2 minutes, 9.63 seconds in 2005).
Sophomore Beverly Rogers (Finleyville, Pa./Ringgold) took second in the javelin at least year's meet and was named the Rookie of the Meet.
Also of importance, head coach Kevin Donner received the league's 2005 Coach of the Year award, which was handed out at the meet.
The Bison collected 209.50 points in 2005, dominating over second place Army (154 points) and third place Navy (136.50 points).
If the Orange and Blue win the 2006 Championship, it will have swept the 2005-06 running season with league titles in cross country and both track seasons.
To open the outdoor season, Bucknell will travel to Richmond, Va., on March 24-25 for the Fred Hardy Invite.
