University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
Joe Donahue Indoor Games
Strong Efforts Produce Strong Finishes at Joe Donahue Games
January 24, 2015 | Women's Track & Field
ROXBURY, Mass. - Strong performances on the track and in the field produced positive results for the UMass women's track team Friday. The women faced tough competition at the Joe Donahue Indoor games in a field that included UCF, Brown and Northeastern among others. Team efforts produced a fourth of nine team finish.
Leading the way for the Minutewomen were Rachel Hilliard, Heather MacLean, and Courtney Kromko. Hilliard had great personal success in the mile and 3000 meter run. Her 9 minute, 40.12-second performance to win the 3000 was the second fastest in the UMass program's history and lead to a top-spot ranking in the Atlantic 10.
MacLean's 800 meter run earned her a top ranking in the Atlantic 10. MacLean easily ran to first place with a time of 2:10.80. Kromko had a first place showing in long jump, leaping 18 feet, 2.50-inches to a third place rank in the A-10.
In the faster races, Rebecca Stoyle was the top performer for UMass. The senior placed eighth overall in the 200 meter dash with a time of 25.86-seconds, which qualified her for the New England Championships and ranks her 10th in the Atlantic 10.
Heather MacLean and Rachel Hilliard's performance Friday earned the duo national ranking in the 800 and 3000 meter run respectively. MacLean took 16th spot nationally with her 2 minute, 10.80 second run in the 800 as well as qualified for the ECAC and New England Championship. Hilliard's 9 minute, 40.12-second finish earned 22nd rank in the nation. The performance additionally beat the ECAC and New England qualifying marks.
Second for the Minutemen in the 3000 meter run came Colleen Sands. The freshman has had continued success in the event since the start of the season, this week finishing at 10 minutes, 24.13 seconds, beating the New England qualifying mark.
Hilliard went on to take gold in the 1 mile run. The senior ran a time of 4 minutes, 58.99 seconds to a first place victory. The performance was ECAC and New England qualifying.
The Minutewomen's two 4x800 meter relay efforts produced fast finishes. The first team, comprised of Hilliard, Webb, MacLean and Zinner ran a combined time of 9 minutes, 42.28-seconds. The finish took gold at the games and earned the team a third place rank in the Atlantic 10. Sands, Purdue-Smithe, Allen and Burke took silver for their 4x800 meter relay performance. The women ran a time of 10 minutes, 12.7-seconds to earn second place.
Rachel Busch and Katherine Gabriele had top-eight finishes in the pole vault competition. The duo tied for eighth place, leaping 10 feet, 4-inches.
Kromko took the lead in long jump with her first place, New England-qualifying performance. The senior jumped 18 feet, 2.50-inches to gold. Ashley Palmer was next for the team in long jump. Palmer took sixth spot with a jump measuring 17 feet, 8.20 inches. In eighth place was Rebecca Stoyle with a 17 feet, 6.25-inch jump.
Throwers rounded out the Minutewomen's success at the Joe Donahue Indoor Games. In shot put, Margaret Riseborough, ranked fourth in the Atlantic 10 after her performance in the Beantown Challenge, took seventh spot Friday with a throw measuring 41 feet, 2.09-inches. Sara Wagner took eighth spot in the weight throw. The junior threw 45 feet, 10.78 inches.
Next up comes the John Thomas Terrier Invitational. The event takes place in Boston on Friday, Jan. 30, 2015. Start time is slated for 2:00 p.m.
