Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Towson Invitational
Javelin Throwers Shine as Bison Women's Track & Field Opens Outdoor Season at Towson Invite
3/26/2011 8:00:00 AM | Women's Track and Field
March 26, 2011
TOWSON, Md. - Laura Rycek led Bucknell women's track and field with a personal-record javelin throw of 154 feet, 10 inches and the Bison collected four victories at the unscored Towson Invitational at Johnny Unitas Stadium on Saturday. Rebecca Misko, Rebecca Frey, Emily Ando and Caroline Tolli also claimed gold at the Bison's spring season opener.
Rycek's 154-10 in the javelin was a personal best by nearly nine feet and gave her the second-best throw in program history and the win at Towson. Trying to keep pace with her teammate was Kat Folger, who placed second with a personal best as well. Folger threw 143-0, which ranks third all-time at Bucknell and was her own best by nearly nine feet.
Rounding out the top finishers in the javelin were even more Bison. Tayler Siegrist was third (135-5) in the event, while Sarah Trahan was fourth (128-2).
Bucknell claimed another win in the throws event, this one coming from Misko in the discus. The defending Patriot League champion in the event, Misko threw 133-4 to lead the field. Abby Monaghan was third (126-0).
Frey won the pole vault, clearing 10-6. Clearing the same height was teammate Ando. Ando moves into a tie for ninth all-time at Bucknell with the performance, while Autumn Schellenberger completed the sweep in the event with a height of 10-0 for third place.
The only Bison on the track to bring home gold, Tolli led another sweep in the 1,500 meters. Tolli crossed the line in 4 minutes, 43.98 seconds, ahead of Kady Weisner, Sarah Moniz and Alysha Hooper, who placed second through fourth, respectively.
"Considering the cold temperatures, I was very pleased with the results," said head coach Kevin Donner after the meet. "All of our event areas competed very hard, and nobody used the weather as an excuse. We have traditionally been a slow-starting team because of spring break and a reloading training philosophy. However, I would have to say it was one of our best outdoor meets we have ever had in the month of March."
No doubt adding to Donner's satisfaction was nearly a dozen more top-three finishes. Alyssa Cardillo finished third in the long jump, leading a group of Bison that also placed fourth through seventh in the event. In the sprints, Sasha Hornock was second in the 100 meters (12.52), while the 4x100 relay also took silver. Jennifer Zymet was second in both the 200 meters (26.16) and the 400 meters (1:00.04). Jamie Leacock earned yet another second-place finish for the Bison in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 1:04.60.
At the longer distances, Hana Casalnova, Chelsea Lodato, Emily Liggett and Erin Horleman placed second through fifth in the 800 meters, and Stephanie Bryan was second in the 5,000 meters.
Bucknell will be back in action next week for the William & Mary Colonial Relays. The meet runs April 1-2 in Williamsburg, Va.
