University of Massachusets Athletics
Women's Indoor Track To Face The Beantown Challenge
January 14, 2015 | Women's Track & Field
CAMBRIDGE, Mass -
Minutewomen Face Off At Beantown Challenge
Women’s indoor track will travel to Cambridge for competition Saturday.
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University of Massachusetts Women's Track & Field Preview
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Date | Time
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Saturday, January 17, 2015 | 10:00 AM.
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Location
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Cambridge, Mass.
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Team Records
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Massachusetts Women's Track & Field Record Book
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Social Media
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@UMassAthletics | @UMass_XC_TF | UMass Cross Country/Track and Field
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Attend The Meet
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http://www.gocrimson.com/directions/inde
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On Your Mark, Get Set, Go!
Following the Harvard Multi Meet due Friday, January 16, 2015, the Minutewomen will return to Cambridge the following morning for the Beantown Challenge. This day-long event at Harvard is slated for Saturday, January 17, 2015. After an excellent showing at the Yale Invitational, the Minutewomen are expected to supply healthy competition as they develop as a team throughout the rest of the season.
Last Time Out
The Minutewomen began their 2015 season at the Yale Invitational in New Haven, Conn. Although an unscored meet, the women managed to showcase their talent by placing 14 athletes in top eight finishes. Heather MacLean, holder of the fastest 800 meter run time in the program’s history, snagged first place with a time of 2 minutes, 14.48-seconds. Rachel Hilliard placed first in the 1 mile run, returning from a spectacular cross country season. The senior finished in 5 minutes, 1.83-seconds. In jumps, Becky Stoyle led the jumpers to victory with a first place performance in triple jump. Stoyle leapt 39 feet, 10.75-inches to claim her title. The 4x400 relay team kicked off the indoor season with a sixth place finish at 4 minutes, 1.45-seconds.
Minutewomen On The Run
Ten freshman from the cross country team return for their first appearance in indoor track. These athletes include Kacie Quinn, Colleen Sands, and Anna Capps; all of whom had great success in the 2014 cross country season. The freshman are expected to add great strength and new talent for UMass this season.
The distance events will be led by Rachel Hilliard, who was part of the record setting 4x800 that took first in the preliminaries at the ECAC Championship. She returns to indoor track to defend her UMass fourth all-time record in the 3000 Meter Run. UMass' other experienced mid-distance-to-distance runners are Katie Powers, Courtney Neves. The two will compete primarily in the 800 and have been back-to-back New England champions in the 4x800 meter relay.
New faces join experienced Krista Webb, Madison Nadeau, Ashley Palmer, and Alex Puccia in faster races. These include freshmen Courtney Comeau, Kiaira Jackson, Tatiyanna Sanders, and Jenna Smolag. Before UMass, Courtney Comeau set the New England 55 meter hurdle shuttle record. All these Minutewomen should prove to be great assets to the sprint competitions.
Success In The Field
One thing that will remain constant is the team's success in the jump events. Becky Stoyle returns for her final season after dominating the UMass all-time record in triple jump. Senior Courtney Kromko returns after a successful junior year with a second all-time UMass record in triple jump and third all-time record in long jump. Ashley Palmer and Camille Edwards join the two, showing great promise for the upcoming season.
Minutewomen pole vaulters Rachel Busch and Sarah Bierly return for their final season as seniors. Lexi Rewick returns for her third season as Minutewomen. Last year, Bierly and Busch performed consistently, seeing six and seven performances respectively.
Thrower Kelsey Crawford excelled in the shot put, weight throw, and javelin as a sophomore and returns for her junior season. Last year Crawford achieved the fourth all-time record in shot put (44-5.25). Sarah Wagner, Alexa Fearing, Nathalie Irmer, and Margaret Risenborough will join Crawford.
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