By Colleen Pegher
Hoping to capture an NCAC title this season, the Allegheny women’s track and field team got off to a positive start by placing second at Baldwin-Wallace last weekend.
Going into the meet, the Gators hoped to test their abilities, determining the strengths and weaknesses of their unit. Coach Brent Wilkerson viewed the race as an opportunity to see the results of winter training as well as to gauge where the team is and how they can improve.
The individual efforts of the team seemed to pay off, with Kristina Martin, ’14, finishing first in the 3000 meter with a time of 10:37.49 and Katie Stancik, ’11, finishing close behind with a time of 10:50.74. Kelly Gallagher, ’13, finished fourth.
“My goal going into the race was just to run it as hard as I could and see where I would be going into the season. We wanted to see where we were at and see where we can go from there,” said Martin.
The performance of the distance runners was not the only strong point for the team, as the 4×200 relay beat out John Carroll and Baldwin Wallace for a first place finish. Runners Dominique Billingslea, ’14, Sarah Moss, ’14, and Beth Muller, ’11, along with Rebecca Lendyak, ’11, who led the first place effort, finished with a time of 1:51.73. They finished one second ahead of host Baldwin-Wallace and a full four in front of John Carroll.
Billingslea also finished fifth overall in the 200 meter, while her teammate Muller finished sixth.
Those participating in the field events also contributed their best efforts, with sophomore Lauren Butler, who earned All-American honors in women’s javelin last year, finishing second in the shot put and fifth in the weight throw. She came just one inch short of the winning shot put toss.
Butler also headed a 5-6-7 finish for the Gators in the weight throw. Tova Feinberg, ’14, and Kristen Collins, ’12 also contributed points to the Allegheny total with their performances.
Team cooperation and individual performance are crucial to the success of the Gators track and field squad. Unlike in most sports, track and field athletes must succeed individually before they can excel as a team.
“Even though it is an individual sport, at the end of the day it is also a team sport. Throughout the entire meet, there is never a time when someone isn’t competing,” said Butler. “It is important to do well individually, but it is also important to get the best possible score to contribute to the team.”
The Gators also performed well in the 1000 meter with a 2-3-4 finish. They also received two strong performances from Deedee Evans, ’14, who finished second place in the triple jump. Emily Norton, ’11, took fourth in the long jump.
Looking ahead, the Gators have big goals for the season. They hope to capture an NCAC title, despite the tough competition that lies ahead. Stancik believes that the team can meet their goal.
“It will be tough competition this year, but we have some great returning athletes and some really good new ones, too,” she said.
The Gators will compete in the NCAC Relays this coming weekend, and feel confident that their efforts will prove successful.
“We’re going to be running good relays and there’s a good chance that we will be in the top three,” Wilkerson said.
