Telegram & Gazette Round-Up - "Outdoor Track, WPI Shine At ECAC Track Championships"
Women's Outdoor Track Leaps Into Top 30 In USTFCCCA National Composite Index
Troy, NY --- Senior Christy Deininger (N. Attleboro, MA) shattered her own school record and recorded a top finish in the 100 meter hurdles (14.08) with the best time in the NCAA Division III as she helped pace the women's track and field team to 18th at the ECAC Division III Championships hosted by RPI.
The Lancers notched 17 team points to tie with Grove City as MIT won the meet with 57 overall to outpace Rowan (44) and Ithaca (40).
In the finals of the 100 meter hurdles, Deininger scorched the infield as she outpaced the field by 0.41 seconds to take over the national lead in the event that was previously held by junior sensation Ashante Little (Seabrook, NH) of Wheaton (14.10).
Third-year Alyssa Jasper (Rockland, MA) also scored points with third in the javelin (133-7.50/40.73m) and eighth in the 100 meter hurdles (15.68) before notching 21st in the long jump (35-8.75/10.89m).
The 4x100 meter relay of Jasper as the third leg, Deininger anchoring, junior Liz Bodensieck (Raynham, MA) leading off and junior Brittany Hodgerney (Leicester, MA) second, was just out of the running for placing with 11th with a time of 48.82.
Other strong performances included Deininger's 10th place time in the 100 meters (12.33) while senior Megan Taylor (Danvers, MA) and sophomore Dalena Le (Worcester, MA/Doherty) added 12th (1:07.03) and 16th (1:08.07), respectively, in the 400 meter hurdles.
Hodgerney also put up 19th in the 200 (26.04) as junior Amanda Caldarone (Danvers, MA) tied for 17th in the long jump (17-3/5.26m).
The 4x400 relay of Taylor, sophomore Eva Bunszell (Bridgewater, MA), classmate Emily Riehl (Trumbull, CT) and third-year Alexandria McMahon (E. Longmeadow, MA) teamed for 21st (4:01.40).
Freshman Erin McIntyre (Whitinsville, MA) cleared 23rd in the high jump (5-0.50/1.54m) followed by sophomore Francesca Casasanta (Hopkinton, MA) who was right behind in 27th (1.49m/4-10.50).
Deininger joined an exclusive list of eight who have been named ECAC Division III Champions, which included Jasper who had the best heave in the javelin last season.
The pair will await the NCAA Division III Track and Field Outdoor Championship annoucement on Monday morning to find out who made the field for next week's national meet.
You can follow the Worcester State Lancers on Facebook and Twitter