University of Richmond Athletics
School Record, Three Wins At T&F Outdoor Opener
03/20/2011 | Women's Track & Field
March 20, 2011
WILLIAMSBURG, Va. - Grace Gibson set a school record in the pole vault, while Heather Roush, Jill Prentice, and Meagan McGovern captured first-place as the Spiders kicked-off the outdoor track & field season on Saturday at the Tribe Invitational. The meet was held at Zable Stadium on the campus of William & Mary.
"Today was a good start to our outdoor season," said men's head coach Steve Taylor. "Our men and women competed hard and with purpose. It was fun to watch many of our freshmen, several who have not competed for our program yet this year and our upperclassmen who showed their leadership."
Freshman Grace Gibson placed fifth and set a school record in the pole vault (3.25m-10'08"). Her mark broke the previous 2004 record of 3.15m set by Cathy McClane.
Redshirt-senior Heather Roush clinched first in the javelin throw with a career best series - six throws over 40m. Her winning throw reached 42.91m, ranking 23rd best throw in the NCAA this season. Roush also placed third in the discus and was the second collegiate athlete with her throw of 43.01m (141'01").
Freshman Jill Prentice came in first-place in the 3K with a time of 10:06.54. One hour later she placed seventh in the 1,500m race with a time of 4:44.0.
Junior Meagan McGovern, a 2010 NCAA qualifier in the hammer throw, won the event with a throw of 50.47m (165'07"). The mark currently stands as the 43rd best mark in the nation this season.
Senior X'auntasia Johnson placed third in the long jump with a jump of 5.51m (18'01"). Her mark was one centimeter shy of second-place.
Senior Monica Howard was the top collegiate thrower in the discus competition, placing second to an "open" athlete (post college athlete). Howard's best throw was marked at 43.45m.
"We talk about the importance of competing with purpose and to achieve our goals for this particular meet and I felt, as a whole, our athletes did that today. They were focused. We need to build upon this meet as we move to our own Fred Hardy Invitational next weekend."
Next weekend the Spiders host the Fred Hardy Invitational on Richmond's campus.
