Track: Bland Excels At Sykes-Sabock Challenge Cup
February 07, 2009 05:02 PM | General
February 7, 2009
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - After anchoring the distance medley relay team, which took first place, set a new meet record and was an NCAA provision time, Keri Bland came back today to win the 800-meter race as the West Virginia University track and field team finished up competition at the Sykes-Sabock Challenge Cup today at the Horace Ashenfelter III Indoor Track in State College, Pa.
Bland took first place in the 800-meter with an NCAA provisional time of 2:06.74. Bland’s time is second in WVU indoor history behind Kate Vermeulen who set the record at 2:06.42 in 1999.
April Rotilio took fifth place in the 200-meter dash (24.17), while Karly Hamric placed third in the 600-meter run with a time of 1:35.80
“Over the course of this weekend we’ve had tremendous performances,” comments Coach Sean Cleary. “Keri’s time today is showing her strength and leg speed, while April’s 200-meter time shows her tremendous speed. We are very close to where we need to be as we get into the championship season.”
The 4x400-relay team of Jordann Mitchell, Chelsea Carrier, Brittany Hohn and Rotilio took fifth place (3:48.97), while Kate Harrison placed fourth with a BIG EAST and ECAC qualifying time of 9:45.62 in the 3,000-meter event. Mitchell also ran a BIG EAST qualifying time of 58.22 in the 400-meter race.
In the field events, Katelyn Williams placed third followed by Natasha Redman who placed fourth in the jump, clearing 1.72-meters and 1.67-meters, respectively.
Next up, the Mountaineers will compete at the BIG EAST Indoor Championships on Feb. 21-22, in New York, N.Y.
