GLASSBORO, NJ- Junior Alyssa Hudgins claimed MVP honors as she captured the shot put (12.62 meters), discus (41.30 meters) and the hammer (47.78 meters) to lead the Lions over rival Rowan University, 106-93, on Thursday evening in Glassboro, New Jersey.
Sophomore Susan Lora also notched three victories as she continued her outstanding year. Lora won the 100m (12.53), the 200m (school record- 25.75) and ran second leg on the Lions' 4x100 relay (school record- 48.64).
Joining Lora on the 4x100 were junior Lauren Calorel, who had a great day in finishing 2nd in the high jump (5'2") before notching personal bests in both the 100 hurdles (5th- 15.44) and the 200m (3rd- 26.91), and freshman Brianna Crofton who also had three victories on the day as she won the 400m (school record- 58.08) and anchored the Lions record setting 4x400 relay with a 57.80.
Freshman Samantha Osadacz anchored the 4x100 squad as part of a busy day that saw her also win the long jump (5.39 meters), finish 2nd in the triple jump (school record- 10.72 meters), grab 2nd in the 200m (personal best- 26.48) and finish 3rd in the 100m (personal best- 12.89).
Freshman Chanel Rogers grabbed victory in the 100 hurdles (14.56) with junior Justine Elardo right on her heels in 14.67. Rogers and Elardo also were 2nd (1:03.99) and 4th (1:06.58), respectively, in the 400 hurdles and ran the second and third legs on the 4x400 squad.
Junior Mary Sancilio captured the high jump (5'4"), freshman Catherine Hansen won the pole vault (2.74 meters) and freshmen Laura Gemignani and Shelby Frink grabbed runner-up finishes in the javelin and shot put respectively.
Freshman Meredith Hoffman also had an outstanding day as she recorded personal bests in both the long jump (3rd- 5.00 meters) and the 100m (4th- 12.97), and sophomore Cassandra Lenkowski had a personal best in the 400m (3rd- 1:00.88).
In the closing stages of the meet, the 4x400 relay stole the show as Lenkowski teamed with Rogers, Elardo and Crofton to blast to a five-second school record of 3:55.18.
"The ladies knew Rowan had run 3:54 last week and we wanted to come out and prove we were still the best 4x400. We really executed well and it was great to see them run the kind of time we've been looking for all year," said Head Coach Brett Harvey.
Lenkowski opened up with a 60.50 that had the Lions within two seconds of Rowan star Freshman Melirah Searcy. Rogers then blasted off to a 56.60 2nd leg that handed the Lions a lead that Elardo (59.70) and Crofton (57.80) continued to open as they tallied a three-second margin of victory.
"It was an exciting and fun meet and we appreciate all the hard work Rowan put into making the meet happen and making it memorable. They have a tough, strong team that we will be facing again in a week as we try to defend our CTC title," added Harvey.
The Lions do indeed defend its CTC Outdoor Championship this weekend at DeSales University in Center Valley, PA.
