LAKEWOOD, NJ-On a beautiful, 70-degree day, the Georgian Court University Track and Field squad took on Rowan University in a dual meet and emerged victorious (90-81) In a hard fought contest Wednsday afternoon.
The action and intensity was top notch from the start. In one of the first field events of the afternoon, sophomore Amy Berry launched the javelin to a national qualifying distance of 134'2", a 20-foot personal best for the sophomore. She was quickly followed by classmate Justine Elardo who, in the first running event of the day, ran 1:02.34 in the 400 hurdles to qualify herself for the national championships, as well. The NCAA Division II Championships will be held at California State University-Stanislaus next month.
Elardo also captured the 100 hurdles in 14.57 and blistered a 58.40 3rd leg on the Lions' victorious and school record setting 4x400 (4:05.17). Joining Elardo on the relay were Cassandra Lenkowski, Jayme Anderson and Erin Frye. For her efforts, Elardo was named as Co-MVP of the meet.
Sophomore Alyssa Hudgins won both the shot put and the discus, and had a personal best in the shot put of 43'5.5." She lead a sweep of both events as Christine Gorczyca (personal best 35'10") and Chinyere Ozuzu (33'8") nabbed 2nd and 3rd in the shot put and Ozuzu (118') and NIcole Kalinowski (106') grabbed 2nd and 3rd in the discus.
The Lions' sprinters had a banner day as freshman Susan Lora led the way in winning the 100m (school record 12.54), and tied for the win in a photo finish in the 200m (school record 26.14). Lora also ran the second leg on the Lions' victorious 4x100 relay (50.04). Lora was joined on the relay by Lauren Calorel, Jasimen Little and Denisha Thomas.
Fellow freshman Keioki Hewitt tied Lora for the 200m victory (school record 26.14) and had a personal best in finishing 3rd in the 100m (12.85).
Sophomore Mary Sancilio captured the high jump with a personal best of 5'5" while Calorel grabbed 2nd at 5'3" in the same event.
"When Coach Adamson and I put this meet together we were hoping to create a meet that we could have every year and to foster a healthy rivalry," said GCU Head Coach Brett Harvey. "I think the meet today went better than anyone imagined it would. The competition was outstanding; we had personal bests everywhere and really performed well today. This was the best team performance we've had the whole year."
Other Lions with personal bests included Cynthia Cuiule (1500m, 5:03), Amy Applegate (Javelin, 81 feet), Katelynn Colgain (1500-5:15), Denisha Thomas (100m, 13.11, 200m, 27.04), Jasimen Little (200m, 26.74), Jayme Anderson (400m, 1:02.02), Calorel (100 hurdles, 15.92).
The Lions return from Easter break and travel to historic Franklin Field for the biggest track and field meet in the world, The Penn Relays, April 28-30.
