Strong Sprints Lead Women's Indoor Track At MIT Co-Ed Invitational

Cambridge, MA --- Junior Mara Kralian (N. Grafton, MA) took home the top spot in the 55 meters (7.43) and second in the 200 (27.01) to help propel the women's indoor track and field team at the non-scoring Co-Ed Invitational.

The meet featured competition from around New England and New York as Division II Saint Rose, Tufts and Wellsley were some of the squads present.

Third-year Sarah Rafferty (Uxbridge, MA) had an outstanding meet as she posted season-best times on a flat track with third in the 200 (27.50) and fourth in the 55 meters (7.64). Both times are Division III New England Championship qualifying standards.

Sophomore classmate Briana Wise (Worcester, MA/Burncoat) was just hundreth's of a second off of Rafferty's time as she placed fifth in the 55 (7.69) while freshman Heidi Bezemes-Turner (Beverly, MA) added eighth in the 200 (28.60).

First-year Alison Hickey (Easton, MA) timed fourth in the 400 (1:04.69) as classmate Christy Deininger (N. Attleboro, MA) notched fifth in the 55 meter hurdles (9.19). Freshman Amanda Holden (Lunenburg, MA) and sophomore Kayle McElroy (Rutland, MA) finished seventh and 12th, respectively in the 55 meter hurdles while rookie Megan Taylor (Danvers, MA) clocked sixth in the 400 (1:05.20).

Sophomore Steph Muse (Chelsford, MA) rounded out the sprints with eighth in the 400 (1:06.35) and 11th in the 55 meter hurdles (9.30).

The distance corps were paced by sophomore Erin Donohue (Saugus, MA) who covered the mile in third place (5:34.58) before she ninth in the 1,000 with a time of 3:22.56. First-year Kelsey Cartwright (Bridgewater, MA) also impressed with sixth in the 3,000 (11:37.09).

Coming off her solid time in the 800 on Friday evening at BU, junior Maura Withington (W. Palm Beach, FL) posted seventh in the event (2:37.18) and eighth in the mile (5:48.70). Second-year Brittany Grueter (Foxboro, MA) tallied seventh in both the 1,000 (3:20.93) and the mile (5:48.70).

Kralian was one centmeter off the lead in the long jump as she notched second overall in the event with a leap of 5.23 meters while junior Kristen Wilson (Tewksbury, MA) added eighth in the triple jump (10.13m).

Holden tied for fifth in the high jump (1.48m) while Taylor placed eighth in the same event (1.43m).

Senior Christina Bisbee (N. Attleboro, MA) helped lead the throwers with sixth in the weight throw (12.68m) as freshman Hannah Werneth (N. Yarmouth, ME) and sophomore Kristen Brunelle (Dracut, MA) finished in seventh and 10th, respectively, in the shot put.

The 4x800 meter relay team of Withington, sophomore Kristina Richard (Peabody, MA) and Nicole Boudreau (S. Windsor, CT) and first-year Christine Shaffer (Atkinson, NH) ended the meet by finishing in second with a time of 11:32.89.

The Worcester State women's indoor track team will sprint, run, throw and jump again next week at the second Tufts Indoor Invitational. In two weeks the Lancers will compete at the MASCAC/New England Alliance Championships at Southern Maine.