University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
Holy Cross Invitational
Minutewomen Earn Second At Holy Cross Invite
April 18, 2015 | Women's Track & Field
WORCESTER, Mass - The UMass women finished second of seven at the Holy Cross Invitational Saturday in Worcester, Mass. This meet followed the Larry Ellis Invitational on April 17 in which two Minutewomen competed. In the Friday competition, Heather MacLean took on the 800 meter run, finishing seventh at 2 minutes, 8.46-seconds (an ECAC and New England-worthy performance). Rachel Hilliard finished 24th in the 1,500 meter run at 4 minutes, 33.47-seconds, also qualifying for ECAC and New England.
The bulk of the team competed Saturday in Worcester. Highlights of the day's events came from a smattering of first place finishes. This included Rachel Hilliard's win in the 5,000 meter run, Colleen Sand's first place finish in 3,000 meter steeplechase, Ashley Palmer's winning long jump, Becky Stoyle's win in triple jump, and Emma Robinson's first place throw in javelin.
Rachel Hilliard took top spot in the 5,000 meter run at 17 minutes, 8.21-seconds, an ECAC and New England-qualifying performance. Alexandra Purdue-Smithe took fourth with an 18 minute, 9.43-second performance. Rounding out the top-eight finishes was Molly McMahon at 18 minutes, 35.55-seconds, good for seventh place.
Colleen Sands took first place in the 3,000 meter steeplechase with an 11 minute, 9.56-second run, a New England-qualifying time and a third all-time UMass program mark. Sarah Barrett was third at 11 minutes, 28.03-seconds to also qualify for New England. Carly Zinner took second in the 1,500 meter run at 4 minutes, 43.21-seconds.
In the 800 meter run, Courtney Neves was fourth at 2 minutes, 16.66-seconds. The time was just short of a New England-qualifier. In the 400 meter hurdles, Alexandra Rewick took fifth at 1 minute, 11.03-seconds.
Ashley Palmer took fourth in the 100 meter dash at 12.47-seconds. Meghan Patrolia was second in 100 meter hurdles at 14.82-seconds. Brittany Green was fourth at 15.29-seconds. All three women qualifying for New England Championships.
The women's 4x100 meter `A' team took third at 49.26-seconds.
Ashley Palmer took top spot in long jump at 18 feet, 10.00-inches, an ECAC and New England-qualifying performance. Courtney Kromko took second at 18 feet, 1.00-inch. Rounding out the top-eight finishes was Meghan Patrolia at 16 feet, 8.50-inches to take seventh. In high jump, Julia Witt took sixth at 5 feet, 1.00-inch.
Triple jump produced a trifecta of UMass finishes. Becky Stoyle took first at 39 feet, 2.25-inches. Courtney Kromko followed in second at 38 feet, 5.00-inches. In third came Ashley Palmer at 37 feet, 8.00-inches. All three women qualified for New England Championships.
Sarah Barrett was fourth in pole vault at 10 feet, 8.75-inches. Katie Gabriele and Rachel Busch tied for sixth at 10 feet, 2.75-inches each.
The Minutewomen continued their success into throwing events. Margaret Riseborough took the win in shot put at 42 feet, 8.25-inches, a New England-qualifying toss. Alexa Fearing was second at 40 feet, 2.75-inches. Nathalie Irmer was fourth at 39 feet, 3.25-inches.
Emma Robinson won javelin at 137 feet, 2.00-inches, beating her previous fourth all-time UMass program mark and qualified for ECAC. Lucy Belt took fourth, throwing 115 feet, 4.00-inches.
In discus, Nathalie Irmer returned to land a third place finish at 117 feet, 7.00-inches. Sara Wanger was fifth at 111 feet, 8.00-inches. Alexa Fearing took sixth with a 110 foot, 7.00-inch toss.
Sara Wagner was just shy of a New England-qualifying throw, taking second in hammer at 153 feet, 4.00-inches. Margaret Riseborough was 8th at 133 feet, 0-inches.
Next up for the Minutewomen comes the Pre-Conference Meet, their last home meet of the season and their senior day. Competition is slated to begin April 25 at 11:00 AM on the UMass Track and Field Complex.
