University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
Reebok Boston Indoor Games
Mbianda, Bourque Dominate Shot Put In Boston
January 29, 2011 | Women's Track & Field
Jan. 29, 2011
BOSTON, Mass. - The UMass women's track and field team competed at the Reebok Boston Indoor Games this past Friday, with the Minutewomen finishing in sixth out of 17 teams with 58.50 points. Northeastern, who also hosted the meet, captured the win with 97 points while Brown came in second with 93 total points. Nalis Mbianda had a superb day, propelling the Minutewomen with a first place mark in the shot put.
In addition to taking the gold, Mbianda's throw of 44-06.00 qualified her for both the New England and ECAC championship meets. Sophomore Rachelle Bourque launched a third place throw (43-05.25) in the event, qualifying for the New England Championships and setting the fourth highest all-time mark at UMass.
Senior Gina Perno continued her stellar season, besting her own time fifth fastest all-time mark at UMass in the 1000. Perno's time of 2:53.28 was good for third at the meet and overtook her previous all-time mark of 2:54.79 that was set at the Sparks Sorlein Invite.
Rounding out the New England Championship qualifiers was Erika Unger who placed 10th at the meet in the 500 meter dash with a time of 1:19.45.
For the second straight year, the team's distance medley relay squad (Perno, Unger, Karen Roa, Claire Pettit, Elizabeth Fisk, Courtney Baldwin) qualified for the ECAC Championships (12:04.70). The squad grabbed second place at the meet.
The 4X400 meter relay team of Meghan Leahy, Sarah Bittermann, Michelle Jenssen, and Deanna Julian placed fifth with a time of 4:03.98. Rebecca Banker notched third place in the high jump, setting her highest mark of the season at 5-03.75. In the 400 meter dash, Michelle Jenssen grabbed third (58.63) while Meghan Leahy placed eighth (1:00.36).
Rounding out the scorers for UMass was Karen Roa who took eighth place in the mile by crossing at 4:59.74.
The Minutewomen next head to the Giegengack Invitational for a two-day meet starting on Friday, Feb. 4.
