Individual successes proved only enough for one victory in the women’s track team’s first dual meet of the season.
The Bulldogs hosted Columbia and Dartmouth at Coxe Cage this Sunday, where they won seven events and made a respectable entrance into Ivy League competition. The Elis finished with 66 points, falling to Dartmouth (76 points), but defeating Columbia, who only scored 39 points. The team had some impressive individual finishes but lacked the depth to pull out a first-place victory.
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“The loss to Dartmouth was really a result of the number of people they had in the field events,” said captain Katie Dlesk ’07, who finished third in the 400-meter dash (58.4). “That is our weak spot right now. While it’s difficult to lose, I have confidence that in the bigger meets at the end of the season, where numbers don’t matter as much as the quality of performance, we won’t have a problem beating them.”
Even though the Bulldogs did not take first overall, they dominated in many of the distance events. Bevin Peters ’09 placed first in the one mile run (5:05.80), with teammates Allyson Rinderle ’10 (5:05.85) and Stevie Pearl ’10 (5:06.27) coming in second and third, respectively.
“The mile was great to watch,” Dlesk said. “I am consistently amazed by our distance squad; they always seem to step up and get it done come race time. It’s great to see such a young crowd at the front of the pack — it bodes well for the future.”
The freshman class has made a great first impression on the Ivy League. Top-finishing freshmen included Courtney Miller ’10, who placed third in the 60-meter dash (8.06), Faith Briggs ’10, who finished second in the 400-meter dash (58.13), and Jocelyn Traina ’10, who earned third in the long jump (4.90).
“This year’s freshman class has so far proved to be a great addition to the team,” middle-distance runner Meredith Leenhouts ’08 said. “After losing quite a few seniors last year, it’s nice to know that we have a group of girls who have already added to the team dynamic talent- and personality-wise.”
In addition to a strong showing by the class of 2010, Leenhouts placed first in the 800-meter run (2:14.85), Lindsay Donaldson ’08 won the 1,000-meter run (2:52.90), Katrina Castille ’07 placed first in both the 60-meter dash (7.72) and the 200-meter dash (25.56), and Ashley Nolet ’07 finished first in the pole vault (3.60). The 4×800 relay team also placed first with a time of 9:24.30.
With their first league competition under their belts, the Bulldogs now anticipate the Terrier Classic invitational meet to be held in Boston this coming Saturday.
“I think the team will be well prepared for the Terrier Classic,” Rinderle said. “We need to learn from the past meet, and we will be able to go into the next meet physically and mentally prepared.”
Though the women’s track team is traveling for the upcoming meet, the Elis’ experience thus far should help them succeed on a foreign track.
“It’s been great having home meets at the beginning of the season,” Leenhouts said. “For many of us, racing at home clears up nerves. By now, we’ve all gotten our feet wet and are definitely ready for the competition at BU this weekend.”