Lehigh University
Lafayette Dual
Lehigh women take down Lafayette
1/30/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Track and Field, Track and Field, Women's Track and Field
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. – In front of a large crowd in Rauch Fieldhouse the Lehigh women’s track and field team defeated Lafayette 100-81, while the men were narrowly edged by the Leopards 93-88. The women won 10 of the 17 events and the men were able to take eight of their 17 events.
“I’m really happy and proud for the women, but earning a split is never fulfilling,” head coach Matt Utesch said. “We’re coming off several wins in a row over Lafayette and we would’ve liked to keep both trophies. It’s bitter sweet.”
Sophomore Alexandra Doersam was the Mountain Hawks top performer as she set a new indoor record in the long jump with a distance of 18’ 5”. In addition to her strong performance in the field, Doersam also took first in the 60 meters with a time of 8.04 and second in the 200 meters (26.62).
Lehigh’s freshmen dominated on the track as they won four straight events. Khaaleedah Smith continued her strong rookie season as she took first in the 400 meters with a time of 1:01.26. In the next race, the 500 meters, Alyssa Donahue finished first in a time of 1:21. Brittany Pietrosh was next up in the 800 meters and she placed first with a time 2:22.91. Her twin sister Lauren closed things out and finished first in the 1000 meters with a time of 3:06.37.
“The freshmen are progressing beautifully, they’re really responding to training,” Utesch said. “We have the makings of a strong group, but make no mistake about it they have a great group of upperclassmen to learn from. There’s plenty of upperclassmen leadership that is paving the way for the freshmen.”
Sophomore Katherine Pierce won the 3000 meters in a time of 10:29.37 to close out the women’s track winners.
In the field events, senior Kathryn McLaughlin won the high jump with a jump of 5’ 5” and her classmate Ashlee Atwell took first in the pole vault with a vault of 11’9.75" to qualify for ECAC's. Atwell's vault rebroke the indoor record which she broke the previous week at the John Covert Classic (11' 6"). Junior Emily Settle took first in the weight throw with a distance of 51’.
The men were led by their field competitors who took all but one event. Senior Nick Ray had a big meet as he took first in both the shot put (53’ 5”) and the weight throw (51’ 3”). Right behind Ray in the shot put was freshman Christopher Buck who had a throw of 49’ 11”. Buck’s throw set a new personal record and is now the fifth longest in the Patriot League this year. Co-captain Franklin Johnson placed first in the triple jump with a distance of 47’ 1.5” and qualified for ECAC's. Junior Kyle Forrest and sophomore Stephen Rumizen tied in the high jump with jumps of 5’ 7”. Rounding out the field winners was Khalil Uqdah who won the pole vault with a vault of 16’.
Utesch commented on Ray’s season. “He’s having a great season. Nick’s been consistent and you can tell he’s getting better every day. He had some throws today where he fouled out in front of the circle that were really big.”
On the track, Lyle O’Brien had a strong performance in the 3000 meters as he took first place with a time of 8:43.19. Junior Kyle O’Connor continued his winning ways as he placed first in the 1000 meters with a time of 2:32.95. Freshmen Vincent Chiusano and Michael Lowrie along with senior co-captain Matt Foley and O’Connor won the 4X800 relay in a time of 8:14.30.
“Overall if you look at the number of personal records we had today you can tell our program is headed in the right direction,” Utesch said. “Our staff has done a phenomenal job getting the teams ready.”
The track and field teams will hit the road next weekend as they travel to New York City for the New Balance Invite on February 5-6.
Lehigh Track and Field - Lafayette Dual Post-Meet Extra
