MIDDLETOWN, Conn. – The fact that the Eastern Connecticut State University men's and women's track & field teams opened their 2017 outdoor seasons indoors did nothing to tarnish outstanding performances by both teams at the Wesleyan University Spring Classic at the Bacon Field House.
In a non-scoring meet moved indoors due to dangerous conditions outdoors, both Eastern teams distinguished themselves in a field of nine competing institutions, with several events including upwards of 30 competitors.
Track Highlights
Coming off a productive first indoor season, freshman Ahriyan Brown (New Britain) was second in the 100 (13.42) in a field of 30 and fifth in the 200 (27.41) in a field of 25.
Senior tri-captain Mariah McPhee (Bristol) was clocked in 5:04.47 in running to second place in a field of 33 in the 1,500. Junior tri-captain Kassandrah Banks (Wethersfield) and sophomore Haley Knox (Bristol) also placed among the Top 10, at eighth (5:12.56) and tenth (5:15.06), respectively.
Freshman Hayley Brodeur (Old Saybook) was not far behind Brown, taking seventh in the 100 (13.86) and sixth in the 200 (27.71). A third freshman, Annie Coleman (East Haven) provided the Warriors with three Top 10 finishers in the 100 when she came in ninth in a time of 13.98.
Sophomore Fanta Faro (New Haven) totaled two Top 10 finishes by placing second among ten in the 400 (1:06.00) and tenth in the 200 (28.37).
The Warriors dominated the 800, grabbing four of the top eight spots among 15 competitors in junior tri-captain Rachel Berkowsky (Stoughton, MA), freshmen twins Maggie and Holly Dulak (Northford) and sophomore Christina Gosselin (Old Saybrook). Berkowski was fourth (2:38.53), Maggie fifth (2:42.10) and Holly seventh (2:45.90) and Gosselin eighth (2:46.93).
Junior Ariel Smith (Stratford) was second in a field of 12 at 3,000 meters in a time of 11:31.86, and freshman Rachel Osak (Portland) took fourth (11:37.70).
Field Highlights
Freshman Brittany Kriley (Fair Lawn, NJ) was fifth among seven in the high jump with a mark of 4-8 ¼ and sophomore Brianna Starkey (Columbia) placed fifth among ten in the pole vault (8-8 ¼).
Up next: Saturday at U.S.Coast Guard Academy Invitational at 11 a.m.
