RESULTS
When and Where: May 7, 2016 – Springfield, Mass. (American International College)
Results: Stonehill College (168), Southern Connecticut State University (136), Merrimack College (127.50), University of New Haven (80.50), Adelphi University (78), Assumption College (77), American International College (70), Franklin Pierce University (59), Southern New Hampshire University (34), College of Saint Rose (18) and Bentley University (18).
Freshman Ashley Elder (Bristol, Conn.), junior Laura O'Hanlon (Dedham, Mass.) and the 4x100-meter relay team notched point-scoring performances on Saturday to help the Southern New Hampshire University women's track and field team finish ninth at the 2016 Northeast-10 Conference Women's Track and Field Championships at American International College.
Elder finished second overall in the discus throw for eight points, while O'Hanlon checked in at No. 3 in the 5000-meter run to garner six points and the 4x100-meter relay team picked up four points after it placed fifth.
Elder led a group of four Penmen in the discus throw. Her toss of 41.22 meters was just .07 meters away from the top spot and landed over three-and-a-half meters ahead of the third-place finisher. Junior Melissa Handy (Durham, Conn.) was No. 19 overall with a 28.15-meter showing, while classmate Sahara Brown (Center Barnstead, N.H.) was right behind her with a throw of 27.72 meters. Sophomore Melissa Melanson (Goffstown, N.H.) rounded out the Southern New Hampshire contingent at No. 23 with a 27.66-meter performance.
O'Hanlon clocked an official time of 17:44.64 to cruise into third place in the 5000-meter. She finished behind Nicole Borofski (16:55.98) of Stonehill and American International's Pascaline Jerotich (17:16.43), who each provisionally qualified for the NCAA National Championships. O'Hanlon was nearly 10 seconds in front of the fourth and almost 15 seconds ahead of fifth.
The 4x100 relay team, consisting of junior Skyler Shugrue (Worcester, Mass.), freshman Kylie Lorenzen (Holliston, Mass.) senior Gitara King (Manchester, N.H.) and freshman Mary Claffey (Burlington, Conn.) compiled a time of 49.95 seconds. The quartet was less than three seconds outside the top time of 47.03 seconds, turned in by Southern Connecticut, and 1.49 seconds outside the top-three. Shugrue, Lorenzen and Claffey joined sophomore Amber Herrington (Burlington Township, N.J.) in competing in the 4x400-meter relay, which finished 10th overall in 4:07.73.
Notes:
- Southern New Hampshire was competing in its first-ever Northeast-10 Championship.
- Herrington also took part in the 400-meter hurdles, where she placed No. 11 overall in a time of 1:07.58.
- Claffey slotted in at No. 14 in the high jump after clearing 1.37 meters.
- Freshman Maddie Holt (Seabrook, N.H.) launched herself 9.55 meters in the triple jump to come in at No. 17.
- Sophomore Maddie Bardier (Pembroke, N.H.) crossed the line in 2:43.63 in the 800-meter run to finish No. 32.
What's Next:
Women's Track is in action again at the 2016 NEICAAA Championships, which will be held from May 13 through May 14 at Williams College.
For the latest on Southern New Hampshire University athletics, follow the Penmen via social media on Twitter, Facebook, Youtube and Instagram. Sign up to receive text message alerts and e-mail newsletters about your favorite Penmen teams here.
