University of Massachusets Athletics
For Minutewomen, A-10 Championship Up Next
February 18, 2015 | Women's Track & Field
KINGSTON, RI -
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University of Massachusetts Women's Track & Field Preview |
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Date | Time |
Saturday, February 21, 2015 | 10:00 AM |
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Location |
Kingston, R.I. |
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Team Records |
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Social Media |
@UMassAthletics | @UMass_XC_TF | UMass Cross Country/Track and Field |
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Meet Info |
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On Your Mark, Get Set, Go!
The Minutewomen are gearing up for their fiercest competition to date. This Saturday, February 21 comes the Atlantic 10 Championship, a two day event jam packed with a slew of regionally and nationally ranked competitors. The day will begin at 10:00 AM in the URI’s Mackal Fieldhouse beginning with the men’s multi events. Those interested in attending the competition may find directions to the fieldhouse by following the link above.
MacLean Grabs Co-Athlete Of The Week Title
Heather MacLean was dubbed co-athlete of the week following her performance at the University of Arkansas Tyson Invitational. She finished fifth in the “Championship” section of the 800 meter run, finishing at 2 minutes, 7.81-seconds. The time was just 0.01 seconds out of fourth and only 0.45 seconds off her UMass 800m record.
Last Time Out
At the URI coaches Invitational, team efforts produced a fourth of 10 team finish. Highlights of the day included Ashley Palmer and Becky Stoyle's New England qualifying, first place finishes (in long jump and triple jump respectively). Palmer took gold in long jump with her 18 foot, 7.00-inch leap and Stoyle leapt 38 foot, 11.00-inch leap to first in triple jump. Heather MacLean's second place, New England qualifying finish in the 500 meter run earned a 6th place rank in the Atlantic 10. The sophomore finished in 1 minute, 16.19-seconds. Brittany Green's third place finish in the 60 meter hurdles was a New England qualifying time at 8.98-seconds. The distance medley team produced a fourth place finish for UMass. Colleen Sands, Heather MacLean, Samantha Allen, and Alexandra Purdue-Smithe ran a combined time of 12 minutes, 51.80-seconds. The finish earned them a 9th place finish in the Atlantic 10. In long jump, Courtney Kromko took bronze with a 38 foot, 5.00-inch jump. The performance earned Kromko an 8th place rank in the Atlantic 10. Rachel Busch took bronze in pole vault with a 10 foot, 4.00-inch leap. Margaret Riseborough took third place in shot put, throwing 43 feet, 0.25 inches and earned a seventh place mark in the Atlantic 10.
Fallen UMass Program Records
800 meter run—Heather MacLean beat her own program record with a 2 minute, 7.36-second run.
1,000 meter run--Heather MacLean ran 2 minutes, 49.10-seconds, demolishing the UMass record set by Nicole Way in 1999 (2:50.59).
Post-Season Qualifiers
Brittany Green, 60 meter hurdles—New England qualifier
Rachel Hilliard, 1 mile run—ECAC and New England qualifier
Rachel Hilliard, 3,000 meter run--ECAC and New England qualifier
Courtney Kromko, long jump—New England qualifier
Heather MacLean, 800 meter run—ECAC and New England qualifier
Heather MacLean, 1,000 meter run—ECAC and New England qualifier
Ashley Palmer, long jump—New England qualifier
Alexandra Purdue-Smithe, 5,000 meter run—ECAC qualifier
Colleen Sands, 3,000 meter run—New England qualifier
Becky Stoyle, 200 meter dash—New England qualifier
Becky Stoyle, triple jump—New England qualifier
Becky Stoyle, long jump—New England qualifier
Krista Webb, 800 meter run—New England qualifier
Carly Zinner, 1 mile run—ECAC qualifier
Carly Zinner, 800 meter run—New England qualifier
Top Eight in Atlantic 10
Rachel Hilliard, 3,000 meter run—ranked first in Atlantic 10
Courtney Kromko, triple jump—ranked eighth in Atlantic 10
Heather MacLean, 500 meter run—ranked sixth in the Atlantic 10
Heather MacLean, 800 meter run--ranked second in Atlantic 10
Hilliard, Webb, MacLean, and Zinner, 4x800 meter relay--ranked third in Atlantic 10
Ashley Parlmer, long jump—ranked second in Atlantic 10
Margaret Riseborough, shot put--ranked seventh in Atlantic 10
Hilliard Collects Dual Honors
Rachel Hilliard was announced Atlantic 10 performer of the week, it was announced Tuesday, January 27. The ECAC additionally selected Hilliard as its Women's Indoor Track and Field Athlete of the Week for Division I New England. The athlete had a fantastic showing at the Joe Donahue Indoor Games; winning the mile, finishing second in the 3,000 meter run, and running in the UMass 4x800m relay team that took gold and a fourth place rank in the A-10. Her 3,000 meter time (9:40.12) was the second fastest in UMass history and currently ranks second in the A-10. Her gold medal mile (4:58.99) is the third fastest time in the A-10.
MacLean Claims Honors
Sophomore Heather MacLean has been named Atlantic 10 Co-Performer of the Week and Co-UMass Athlete of the Week, it was announced on Tuesday, January 20. In her first time ever running the event, MacLean claimed second place with a time of 2:49.10, smashing the previous record set by Nicole Way in 1999 (2:50.59). The performance qualifies her for the ECAC and New England Championships. Her time ranks first in the Atlantic 10.
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.
