Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Bison Opener
Bucknell Women's Track Takes Three of Top Four in Pentathlon at Bison Opener
12/4/2009 7:00:00 AM | Women's Track and Field
Dec. 4, 2009
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Jennifer Pierce (Ho-Ho-Kus, N.J./Northern Highlands) won her first career pentathlon, and Kristin Bretscher (Farmingville, N.Y./Centereach) and Leah Bettner (Lewisburg, Pa./Lewisburg Area) finished third and fourth in the multi event, respectively, on the first day of competition of the Bison Opener at Gerhard Fieldhouse Friday. Pierce took first place with 3,093 points in her first ever attempt at the event.
Pierce, who in the past specialized in sprints and jumps, got out to a bit of a slow start. With just two events remaining, she found herself in seventh place overall. The senior then won the long jump with a leap of 17 feet, 7 1/2 inches, moving her into fourth place. Her finish in the 800 meters was good enough to move her to the top of leader board.
Right there with her were teammates Bretscher and Bettner. Bretscher, who took to the event last year, finished third with a career-high 2,995 points by posting solid marks all around. The junior placed second in the shot put and 60 meter hurdles as well as third in the long jump. She later improved her 800 time to a personal best by 13 seconds.
Also competing in her first collegiate pentathlon, Bettner finished fourth with 2,931 points.
On the men's side, Ryan White (Elkins Park, Pa./Father Judge) leads the nine-person field after the first day. Thomas Vogler (Oneonta, N.Y./Oneonta) currently sits fourth, while Jason Brown (Plainview, Mass./Bishop Feehan) is sixth.
Competition at the Bison Opener resumes tomorrow with the three remaining events in the men's multi competition beginning at 8 a.m. Field events will start at 9:30.
