Lehigh University Athletics
Lehigh University
Navy, VCU, Mt. St. Mary's, UNC Wilmington
Lehigh puts forth a strong effort at the Navy Invite
1/16/2010 10:30:00 PM | Men's Track and Field, Track and Field, Women's Track and Field
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ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The Lehigh track and field teams finished off a busy day at the Navy Invitational on Saturday, as the men’s team finished in fourth place with 78 points, while the women’s team placed sixth with 77.5. Senior Khalil Uqdah had the highlight of the day, setting a new school record as he pole vaulted 16’ 9” which breaks his own record of 16' 6".
Both teams are coming off a grueling week of two-a-days, but despite being a little fatigued managed to put forth strong efforts at Navy.
“We held up well today coming off a tough camp,” head coach Matt Utesch said. “All the kids worked really hard and we came out mostly healthy.”
The men’s team was led by the field participants as they took first in several of the events. Senior Nick Ray finished first in the shot put with a throw of 49’ 6” meters and he also took second in the weight throw (50’ 4”). Freshman Christopher Buck placed second in the shot put with a throw of 48’ 5”. Sophomore Kyle Forrest defeated 10 other competitors and won the high jump with a jump of 6’4”. Rounding out the strong field performances was co-captain Franklin Johnson who finished second in the triple jump (46’ 4”). On the track, junior Steve Sample finished second in the 5000 with a time of 15:04.75.
Navy finished first on the men's side with 174 total points. Coming in second was UNC-Wilmington with 141 points followed by VCU with 91.
On the women’s side freshman Brittany Pietrosh finished second in the 800 (2:20.53) followed by senior co-captain Jillian Randolph who placed third (2:21.20). Senior Kaitlin Grimm ran an impressive 3000 in a time of 10:28.2, good enough for second place. Senior Ashlee Atwell and junior Krista Belick both took attempts at the school record for pole vault at 11’ 4”, but came up just short.
“Both pole vaulters competed very well tonight,” Utesch said. “I have a good feeling that the school record is going to be falling in the upcoming weeks.”
Freshman E’lana Lemon set a new personal record in the weight throw with a distance of 43’ 4”. Utesch commented on the development of all the newcomers on the women’s team. “I feel like they’re ahead of where we thought they would be. Lemon, (Elizabeth) McManus, (Melissa) Knapp, (Khaaleedah) Smith and the Pietrosh’s have all done a great job so far. We just have to keep working and getting better."
With one week until their next meet, the Mountain Hawks must rest up and get completely healthy.
“Overall both teams are ahead of where we thought they would be at this point,” Utesch said. “I believe we’re going to make a huge jump this week by lightening up on them.”
Lehigh returns home to host the 18th annual Covert Classic on January 22-23. The action will kick off at 5:00 p.m. on the 22nd and pick back up the following day.
