After being ranked fifth nationally in the USTFCCA preseason rankings, the Hopkins women’s track team opened their season with a successful weekend at the Maryland Invitational. The meet took place this past Saturday afternoon at the Kehoe Track Complex.
Sophomore Sophia Meehan bounced back from an injury that caused her to miss a majority of the 2013-2014 indoor track season with a strong performance in the 3000 meter race. Her time of 10:04.83 in the rainy conditions led the pack, earning her first place in the event. Teammate junior Ashley Murphy finished just a few seconds behind Meehan with a time of 10:06.56, placing second. The 3000 meter was a strong event for the Lady Jays as junior Gabi Drummond (10:15.41), sophomore Courtney Kelly (10:20.86), freshman Veronica Boswell (10:29.85), and senior Jena Daya (10:31.47) captured fourth thru seventh place, respectively.
“I was very happy with how the 3000 went.I felt like I stuck to my race plan and worked well with my teammates,” Meehan said. “Ashley Murphy and I pushed each other throughout the race and we were able to beat the leader from Maryland.
Hopkins captured first in two other events as senior Shayna Rose led the pack in the 5000 meter run with a time of 18:09.90. Fellow Jay, junior Grace Hancock finished just behind Rose, placing third with a time of 18:34.94. Following up this first place finish, the 4x100 relay team of sophomore Juliana Wittman, junior Kelley Hussey, senior Chloe Ryan, and sophomore Brynn Parsons secured the victory in their event with a time of 49.22.
“Despite some of the most miserable conditions that we've ever faced at a track meet, the energy and spirit of the team was really high,” Rose said. “Personally, I ran only 3 seconds slower than my all-time best, so I was pretty excited about that. And it felt really smooth and relaxed, so I think I can push myself a lot harder.”
Rounding out the running events, sophomore Hannah Oneda competed in the 1500 meter race, placing fifth with a finishing time of 4:46.49.
In the field events of the meet, the Lady Jays took a three-four finish in the shot put with senior Emily Swenson throwing 12.67 meters and freshman Gracie Hargrove throwing 11.79 meters, while sophomore Paige Marsh finished fourth in the triple jump with a score of 9.89 meters.
“I think this will be a great season for our team,” Meehan said. “Coming off another awesome cross country season, a lot of girls have been working so hard to continue to improve individually and as a team. I think this spring season, the girls will earn a lot of PRs, and I hope too as well!”
The Hopkins track and field programs will continue their season as they head out west next week to compete on April 4th and 5th at the Stanford Invitational and the San Francisco State Distance Carnival.
