University of Richmond Athletics
Track and Field Opens the Outdoor Season
03/15/2003 | Women's Track & Field
March 15, 2003
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MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - The University of Richmond's track and field squads opened the outdoor season competing at the Shamrock Invitational hosted by Coastal Carolina. The Spiders earned 17 top-three finishes in a meet that could have been turned into a swimming contest instead of a track and field meet. On a rain soaked day, the torrent of rain seemed to become greater throughout causing a few events to be cancelled all together. That didn't dampen the spirits of the Spiders as they competed throughout the day under the less-than-ideal conditions.
"The conditions were pretty rough", said head men's coach, Steve Taylor, "but our athletes got out there and competed to the end. It was hot here last year and everyone had to work to stay hydrated. That was not a problem today."
Sophomore standout Ashley Bell (Glen Allen, Va.) took first in the 100-meter hurdles (15.22). Teammates Margaret Banks (Holden, Mass.), Katie Sloan (Severna Park, Md.), and Rachel Shrewsbury (Dearborn, Mich.) joined Bell with gold honors. Banks crossed the finish line in 28.10 for the top spot in the 200-meter dash that was run into a stiff headwind with pelting rain, while Shrewsbury tossed the shot for 39'11.50" for first. Sloan tackled the 3000-meter steeplechase to finish in the lead with a time of 11:41.50 nearly 40 seconds ahead of second place.
"I watched as the shot putters threw and I noticed the shot would hit and disappear when it landed," said Taylor. "The officials really had to work to dig the implements out of the landing area. I'm not sure they liked that, but the athletes seemed to grin when the shot would sink out of sight".
Bridget Keenan (Newport News, Va.) grabbed second in the 1500-meter (4:47.02) and returned to also place second in the 800-meter (2:21.00). Following Keenan across the line in the 1500-meter, 5000M specialists, Sarah Taylor (Orono, Maine), Anne Rettig (Charlottesville, Va.), and Lauren Manero (Wilton, Conn.) earned the third through fifth spots. Spiders Sarah Stuber (Prosper, Texas), Erin Brandt (Fanwood, N.J.), and Amy Thesing (Columbia, S.C.) tallied third place finishes in the 400-meter dash (1:00.64), 800-meter run (2:23.10), and 400-meter intermediate hurdles (1:09.20).
In the 5000M, sophomore, Emily Ward placed fourth with an effort of 18:15.63.
In the field events, Cathleen Campbell (Bala Cynwyd, Pa.) sailed to a second place 5'01.75" high jump after grabbing a second in the 400-meter intermediate hurdles (1:07.70). Junior Julee Wilson (Chester Springs, Pa.) placed third in the long jump, well off her best of 20' 01". Junior Diane Schreiber (Johnsonburg, Pa.) finished third in the shot put (38'08.25) and seventh in the hammer throw (136'04").
On the men's side, Kevin Rhue (Virginia Beach, Va.) kicked in to take gold in the 1500-meter with a 4:02.25 time, covering the last 400M in 61.2 seconds. Junior Pete Jennings (Fort Washington, Pa.) followed in the third (4:05.13) and fourth (4:05.75) spots. Jennings returned to earn the top Spider finish in the 800-meter, with a third place 1:57.60 run. Matt Hannay (Princeton, N.J.) took fifth in the 5000-meter run (15:26.26).
Josh Fralick opened his season with a fourth place finish in the javelin (163' 11"). Sophomore Brett Walton (Bridgewater, Va.) also competed in the javelin throw with a toss of 147'11" to improve his personal best from the A-10 decathlon championships last spring.
"This was a day for the determined and for those that can put aside adversity and compete," said Taylor. "This kind of meet (weather) shows what an athlete is made of".
Richmond track and field returns to action next weekend at the VCU Invitational on Friday, March 21 and Saturday, March 22. All events will be held at Sports Backers Stadium in Richmond, Va.
