University of Richmond Athletics
Crocus Posts Richmond's First-Ever Penn Relay Title; Also Sets School Record In Hammer
04/27/2006 | Women's Track & Field
April 27, 2006
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Junior Beth Crocus became the first University of Richmond track & field athlete to win a Penn Relay championship, winning the college division javelin with a personal best throw of 153-feet-6 on Thursday at Franklin Field.
Crocus had already broke her own school record in the hammer throw earlier in the day with a heave of 182-2 and her third throw in the college division javelin made her the first Richmond track & field athlete to win a title at the prestigious Penn Relays. Crocus took fourth in the college division of the javelin at the 2005 Penn Relays.
"What a great way to finish off the day, on her third throw she just unleashed one that took the lead by about three meters," Richmond women's coach Lori Taylor said. "Nobody got within a meter of her, it was just a great effort."
Crocus finished third in the hammer throw with the new school record toss of 182-2, surpassing her previous mark of 179-4 set at the Duke Relays on April 7.
"That's a phenomenal throw for her, obviously increasing her NCAA Regional qualifying mark," Taylor said. "Not only is that a big throw, but that's a great finish, taking third."
Richmond senior Nicole Kurtain also broke the school record in the champion division 3,000-meter steeplechase in a time of 10:52.35, taking 14th.
Richmond junior Lindsey Smith finished fourth in the championship javelin, the highest level of competition at the Penn Relays. Smith, who holds the school record in the javelin at 154-2, used a throw of 152-3 Thursday to take fourth.
Richmond senior John Ciccarelli finished fifth in the college division 3,000 steeplechase in 9:08.25 and sophomore Jonathan Molz took 12th in the Olympic development section of the 3K steeplechase with a personal best time of 9:33.5.
With the cancellation of the Metro Championships last weekend, the Spiders have added the College of New Jersey Invitational to their schedule on Saturday.
