MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - The West Virginia University track and field team opened its outdoor season at the Cal U Early Bird Invitational earlier today in California, Pa.

 

“This was a nice little early season meet for us,” says coach Sean Cleary. “It’s nice for us to have one under our belt before we head south next weekend.

 

“We will introduce a few more girls each week to the travel party, as we prepare ourselves for the heart of the season.”

 

Junior Karissa Knabenshue led the way for the Mountaineers, who claimed five first-place finishes on the day. Knabenshue placed first in the shot put with a toss of 12.09 meters and fourth in the discus throw with a mark of 38.27 meters.

 

Freshman Bria Welker placed first in the 400 meters with a time of 58.83, and sophomore Alyssa Scherich claimed first in the 400-meter hurdles in 1:05.37. Senior Arielle Gaither finished just behind Scherich in second place with a mark of 1:06.04.

 

In the 800 meters, freshman Sydney Scott placed first with a personal-best time of 2:22.46.

 

The West Virginia 4x400 meter-relay team of sophomore Chrisa D’Egidio, Scherich, Gaither and Welker also took first with a time of 4:02.10

 

The Mountaineers will return to the track on Friday, March 28, at the Raleigh Relays in Raleigh, N.C.