Lehigh University Athletics
Lehigh gears up for Patriot League Championships
9/24/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country, Cross Country
Bethlehem, PA – Lehigh travels to Colgate this weekend for the Patriot League Indoor Championships this weekend. The Mountain Hawks will be looking to continue the success achieved thus far in the indoor season, as eight school records have fallen, and five times a Lehigh team member has won athlete of the week from the Patriot League.
The Mountain Hawks figure to be particularly strong in the pentathlon. Senior Justina Barone is the top seeded woman, defending champion, and league record holder, as is her male counterpart Chris Lambert. At the Lehigh Pentathlon earlier this season, each broke their own record. Barone accumulated a score of 3649, while winning every event and Lambert scored 3652. Sophomore Khayla Lowe will look to battle for second in the women’s competition, while freshman Vaslov Malek will do the same in the men’s.
"We should be very strong in the pentathlon," head coach Matt Utesch noted. "Both Justina and Chris are the top seeds and Patriot League record holders. And both Khayla and the freshman, Vaslov, could be in contention for some of the top spots, as well."
Junior sprinter George Evans broke the 60m dash record in three consecutive meets, taking the standard all the way down to 6.88. Sophomore Francis Vincent has also been strong, winning both the long and triple jumps on multiple occasions. Both Vincent and Evans have been recognized by the Patriot as Athletes of the Week, as has sophomore Nick Maiorino.
"Francis has been great in triple jump all season," said Utesch. "He’s improved at each meet, and he should be in contention in the long jump, too."
Other men to watch for include sophomore Mark Swanson and freshman Rob Hampson, each of whom qualified for the IC4A Championships last week at the Armory Invitational, and junior Jessie Ohm, one of the Patriot League’s top pole vaulters.
On the women’s side, sophomore Lindsay Hinsch set the first record of the year, shattering the triple jump mark against Millersville. Classmate Jessie McCreary established a new long jump standard and senior co-captain Yasmin Deliz entered the record book in the shot put. Senior Justina Barone has been turning in strong performances as usual, including a record 3649 in the pentathlon. Hinsch’s record earned her Patriot League Athlete of the Week honors. Junior Katie Dukatz joined her after winning the high jump at the Lehigh Quad.
"Justina is the defending champion in the hurdles, and Khayla should be right there for a top spot with her," Utesch said. "Jessie and Lindsay should both be in contention in both the long and triple jumps. And Yasmin Deliz and Dukatz are both defending Patriot League titles."
The Patriot League Championships begin on February 21 and continue until the 23.
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