Lehigh University Athletics
Saturday, February 17
Lewisburg, Pa.
All Day
Lehigh University
vs
Patriot League Championships
Photo by: Don Paul
Mountain Hawks Ready to Roll at this Weekend’s Patriot League Championships
2/16/2018 10:59:00 AM | Women's Track and Field
Meet Information | Meet Schedule | Live Results | Live Video Stream (Sunday only) | PL Performance Lists
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – With 10 regular season meets in the rearview mirror, the Lehigh women's track and field team is set and ready for the 2017 Patriot League Championship meet this weekend in Lewisburg, Pa. The two-day event will serve as the culmination of the indoor season, before a month-long break leading into the start of the outdoor season in mid-March.
The championships will kick off on Saturday morning at 9 a.m. with the multis. Field events will follow at 12 p.m. and track events are scheduled for a 2 p.m. start. A complete schedule of events as well as other meet information are available at the top of this release. Sunday's second day of action will be streamed live online for free on the Patriot League Network (PatriotLeague.TV) beginning at 11:50 a.m.
"This year is a little bit different for us in that the league is different," said head coach Matt Utesch. "There really are six teams out of 10 that have a chance to win or be in the top three, and that changes the complexion of the league immensely. A premium will be put on first place league champions and we hope to have a number of those. The league to so deep across too many events and the exciting thing is that no one knows who is going to win. It is going to be one of the best, most competitive meets we have ever seen in the Patriot League, and that makes it exciting."
Sprint/Mid-Distance
Entering this weekend, sophomore Brooke Schaeffer ranks fourth in the 500m dash on the Patriot League's descending order list. She also appears in the top 20 of the 400m list, along with freshman Alexis Smith, who sits 14th. Senior Liyala Dickens brings a wealth of experience to the group with wins this season in the 60m and 200m at the Lehigh-Lafayette dual meet, earning Track Athlete of the Meet honors.
In the 800m, junior Clare Severe and Schaeffer will be among the athletes competing for podium spots, currently ranking fourth and fifth, respectively, in the league. A two-sport athlete, Severe also leads the team and ranks in the top 10 in the league 1,000m (7th) and the mile (3rd). Her mile time of 4:51.75 is a school record that she ran at the Villanova Invitational on Feb. 3. Sophomore Ashleigh Crawford joins her in the top 10 in the mile, and Hannah Bonaguidi ranks 10th in both the mile and 1,000m.
Lehigh has reset the school record each of the last two seasons at the championships in the DMR, winning the league title two years ago. Three of last year's record holders, Severe, Laura Barnes and Rachel Okun, all return this season.
"The sprint/middle-distance kids have always been a real strength for us," Utesch said. "And like other schools, we have a great relationship going on with soccer and those girls are making a big impact on our program and the league. Clare (Severe) is leading the way with all those girls, but the rest of them are providing depth for us that will make a big difference at the championships. I expect strong performances in those events, plus the DMR and the 4x8. Those look to be strong events for us."
Distance
Lehigh is the only school in the Patriot League with five athletes ranked in the top 15 of the 3,000m, led by Crawford's fifth ranked time of 9:53.54 from the Dr. Sander Invitational. Junior Stephanie Hayes ranks 10th, followed by Susie Poore (11th) Diana Hammerstone (12th) and Stacie Nadel (15th). Nadel also leads LU this season at 15th in the league in the 5K.
"Our girls have run some of the best 3K and 5K times we've seen in a long time," Utesch said. "They're running fast and well together. Depending on who enters where, we can really collect some points there as well."
Field Events
Lehigh figures to get some key performances from its throwers in seniors Amanda Youngblood and Paige Grossman, and freshman Brittany Curtin. Youngblood sits third in the weight throw and fifth in the shot put this season, with Curtin leading the team with the league third-furthest weight throw this season at 16.73m, and comes in ninth in the shot put. Grossman is tabbed seventh in the weight throw.
"There are some big points to be had in the throws," Utesch said. "Amanda and Paige lead the way in the throws, but I'm looking for Brittany to be on the podium in the weight throw at least, and I expect Amanda to be on the podium as well."
LU boasts two of the top vaulters in the Patriot League this season, with junior Kaitlyn Toman's school record of 3.75m tying her for the top vault in the league. Freshman Madisyn Hawkins, who held the school's record earlier this season, is also expected to contend for a league title. Hawkins has cleared a season-high 3.70m this season, which is third best in the league.
"In the pole vault, those two girls have been battling it out week in and week out for school records," Utesch said. "They're both jumping great and are sitting atop the league. They are both very ready and excited to go and finish at the top of the podium."
In the jumps, Lehigh is expected to once again be a powerful player in the high jump with sophomore Jordan Otto being one of three to clear a league-leading 1.70 meters this season. Junior Tyler Bannister is right on their heels clearing 1.65m this year, with Oliva Reinold and Noa Levy also sitting in the top 10. Lehigh has won the event the last four years in a row, courtesy of graduated All-American Courtney Avery.
"The high jump is always a strong event for us," Utesch said. "It's a little more crowded at the top than in years past because we lost an All-American, but it's still a great core and a good stable of jumpers that are near the top of the league."
Lehighsports.com will have a complete recap after both days of competition.
Follow Lehigh Cross Country/Track and Field on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content, team updates and more.
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – With 10 regular season meets in the rearview mirror, the Lehigh women's track and field team is set and ready for the 2017 Patriot League Championship meet this weekend in Lewisburg, Pa. The two-day event will serve as the culmination of the indoor season, before a month-long break leading into the start of the outdoor season in mid-March.
The championships will kick off on Saturday morning at 9 a.m. with the multis. Field events will follow at 12 p.m. and track events are scheduled for a 2 p.m. start. A complete schedule of events as well as other meet information are available at the top of this release. Sunday's second day of action will be streamed live online for free on the Patriot League Network (PatriotLeague.TV) beginning at 11:50 a.m.
"This year is a little bit different for us in that the league is different," said head coach Matt Utesch. "There really are six teams out of 10 that have a chance to win or be in the top three, and that changes the complexion of the league immensely. A premium will be put on first place league champions and we hope to have a number of those. The league to so deep across too many events and the exciting thing is that no one knows who is going to win. It is going to be one of the best, most competitive meets we have ever seen in the Patriot League, and that makes it exciting."
Sprint/Mid-Distance
Entering this weekend, sophomore Brooke Schaeffer ranks fourth in the 500m dash on the Patriot League's descending order list. She also appears in the top 20 of the 400m list, along with freshman Alexis Smith, who sits 14th. Senior Liyala Dickens brings a wealth of experience to the group with wins this season in the 60m and 200m at the Lehigh-Lafayette dual meet, earning Track Athlete of the Meet honors.
In the 800m, junior Clare Severe and Schaeffer will be among the athletes competing for podium spots, currently ranking fourth and fifth, respectively, in the league. A two-sport athlete, Severe also leads the team and ranks in the top 10 in the league 1,000m (7th) and the mile (3rd). Her mile time of 4:51.75 is a school record that she ran at the Villanova Invitational on Feb. 3. Sophomore Ashleigh Crawford joins her in the top 10 in the mile, and Hannah Bonaguidi ranks 10th in both the mile and 1,000m.
Lehigh has reset the school record each of the last two seasons at the championships in the DMR, winning the league title two years ago. Three of last year's record holders, Severe, Laura Barnes and Rachel Okun, all return this season.
"The sprint/middle-distance kids have always been a real strength for us," Utesch said. "And like other schools, we have a great relationship going on with soccer and those girls are making a big impact on our program and the league. Clare (Severe) is leading the way with all those girls, but the rest of them are providing depth for us that will make a big difference at the championships. I expect strong performances in those events, plus the DMR and the 4x8. Those look to be strong events for us."
Distance
Lehigh is the only school in the Patriot League with five athletes ranked in the top 15 of the 3,000m, led by Crawford's fifth ranked time of 9:53.54 from the Dr. Sander Invitational. Junior Stephanie Hayes ranks 10th, followed by Susie Poore (11th) Diana Hammerstone (12th) and Stacie Nadel (15th). Nadel also leads LU this season at 15th in the league in the 5K.
"Our girls have run some of the best 3K and 5K times we've seen in a long time," Utesch said. "They're running fast and well together. Depending on who enters where, we can really collect some points there as well."
Field Events
Lehigh figures to get some key performances from its throwers in seniors Amanda Youngblood and Paige Grossman, and freshman Brittany Curtin. Youngblood sits third in the weight throw and fifth in the shot put this season, with Curtin leading the team with the league third-furthest weight throw this season at 16.73m, and comes in ninth in the shot put. Grossman is tabbed seventh in the weight throw.
"There are some big points to be had in the throws," Utesch said. "Amanda and Paige lead the way in the throws, but I'm looking for Brittany to be on the podium in the weight throw at least, and I expect Amanda to be on the podium as well."
LU boasts two of the top vaulters in the Patriot League this season, with junior Kaitlyn Toman's school record of 3.75m tying her for the top vault in the league. Freshman Madisyn Hawkins, who held the school's record earlier this season, is also expected to contend for a league title. Hawkins has cleared a season-high 3.70m this season, which is third best in the league.
"In the pole vault, those two girls have been battling it out week in and week out for school records," Utesch said. "They're both jumping great and are sitting atop the league. They are both very ready and excited to go and finish at the top of the podium."
In the jumps, Lehigh is expected to once again be a powerful player in the high jump with sophomore Jordan Otto being one of three to clear a league-leading 1.70 meters this season. Junior Tyler Bannister is right on their heels clearing 1.65m this year, with Oliva Reinold and Noa Levy also sitting in the top 10. Lehigh has won the event the last four years in a row, courtesy of graduated All-American Courtney Avery.
"The high jump is always a strong event for us," Utesch said. "It's a little more crowded at the top than in years past because we lost an All-American, but it's still a great core and a good stable of jumpers that are near the top of the league."
Lehighsports.com will have a complete recap after both days of competition.
Follow Lehigh Cross Country/Track and Field on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content, team updates and more.
Players Mentioned
Jumps
/ Women's Track and Field
Jumps/Multis
/ Women's Track and Field
Mid-Distance
/ Women's Track and Field
Distance
/ Women's Track and Field
Mid-Distance/Steeple
/ Women's Track and Field
Throws
/ Women's Track and Field
Sprints
/ Women's Track and Field
Throws
/ Women's Track and Field
Mid-Distance
/ Women's Track and Field
Pole Vault
/ Women's Track and Field
Mid-Distance
/ Women's Track and Field
Jumps/Multis
/ Women's Track and Field
Steeplechase
/ Women's Track and Field
Sprint/Mid-Distance
/ Women's Track and Field
Jumps
/ Women's Track and Field
Distance
/ Women's Track and Field
Sprint/Mid-Distance
/ Women's Track and Field
Mid-Distance
/ Women's Track and Field
Sprints
/ Women's Track and Field
Pole Vault
/ Women's Track and Field
Throws
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