WILLIAMSTOWN, MA -- The Women's Track and Field team opened the indoor season today with a bang, as the Ephs hosted Union College, Hamilton College, and St. Rose College. Williams athletes secured first place in all 15 events that appeared on the schedule today. This result shows the widespread talent of this group of women. As head coach Fletcher Brooks remarks, "we have improved in some areas that we were weaker in a year ago; these advances will pay dividends come championship season. It's great to see all the hard work, whether that be training or recruiting, coming to fruition."
Many of the first years had a great kick-off to their Williams career, stepping right up and scoring points for the Ephs. Freshman Tanasia Hoffler proves to be an all-around threat, winning the Triple and Long Jumps with distances of 16’8” and 37’ respectively, along with a 2 nd place in the 55m hurdles. Freshman Brooke Johnson also had a stellar debut, taking 2nd in the Triple Jump and 3rd in the Long Jump. Freshman Julie Paschal cleared 5’3” in the High Jump for her first collegiate win. Finally, Casey Evans vaulted over 8’11” to win the Pole Vault. As Sprint coach Joel Williams summarizes, “The freshmen on the sprint and field side came up big today and are staking their claim on Williams Track and Field.”
In the throwing events, Sophomores Eileen Becker and Madeline Watson took 1st and 2nd in the Shot Put and 3rd and 1st respectively in the Weight Throw.
Senior Captain Elise Johnson and Sophomore Hillary Higgs continue to their role as the backbone of the sprint group. Johnson took home wins in both the 55m hurdles and the 55 dash, while Higgs outran 2nd place by the impressive margin of over 3 seconds in the 300m.
In the slightly longer events, veterans and youngsters teamed up to perform for Williams. In the 400m run, Ariel Williams showed her speed as she broke the tape in 65 seconds. Senior Captain Nora Mitchell won the 600m run in a time of 1:42, while Freshman Rebecca Fine came in 3rd. Junior Tina Meade and Freshman Jennifer Gossells ran together for most of the 1 mile run. Meade won in a time of 5:20. In the 3000m, Emily McTague jumped back into action, powering through more than 16 laps to a winning time of 10:50.
Williams cleaned up in the relays as well, winning both. In the 4x800, the team of Brooke Pfister ’13, Katherine Belk ‘13, Annie Dear ’13, and Olga Kondratjeva ’10 teamed up to outrun the competition in 10:10. In the 4x400 Nora Mitchell ’10 lead off and gave the Williams ladies a good margin for error which was lengthened and maintained by Rebecca Fine ’13, Katherine Belk ’13, and Ceci Davis-Hayes ’11 to bring home the baton in first place with a time of 4:24.
The Ephs head to Wheaton College to compete next Saturday.
