Lehigh Enjoys Strong Performances in First Indoor Meet

Friday, December 3

Bethlehem, Pa.

5:00 PM

Lehigh University

Fast Times Before Finals

Photo by: Don Paul

Lehigh Enjoys Strong Performances in First Indoor Meet

12/4/2021 9:06:00 PM | Women's Track and Field

Complete Results (PDF)

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh women's track and field team began its much-anticipated 2021-22 season this weekend at Rauch Fieldhouse. The Mountain Hawks hosted their annual Fast Times Before Finals Meet where they competed against DeSales, Kutztown, Moravian, Muhlenberg, Stevens Institute of Technology, Temple and West Chester on Friday night and Saturday.

"The best thing that happened this weekend was our women's 4 x 400m relay team, who ran a phenomenal race," said head coach Matt Utesch. "Each one of those athletes was challenged in their leg of the race and came back and responded to their challenge. If we can get our whole team to respond like that, we can get back to the way we were pre-COVID."

The Mountain Hawks had 19 student-athletes finish with PRs. Lehigh's returning student-athletes, along with its first-year student-athletes, worked together to win five events.

Among the student-athletes to PR Saturday was Carly Carpino (3136), Emily Dolan (2718) and Bree Smentkowski (2833) in the pentathlon, Veronica Meyer in the weight throw (14.95m) and Chae Kim (9.07) and Chelsi Chevannes (9.99) in the 60m hurdles.

The throws group dominated at the two-day meet. Lehigh swept the weight throw, having seniors Teasha McKoy (17.22m) and Veronica Meyer finish first and second and sophomore Karina Rose (13.10m) finish third.

"Tip of the hat to coach Allison Taub because she's done a phenomenal job with the throws group," said Utesch. "We had so many struggles last year and Allison has truly done a phenomenal job with this group."

The sprints and mid-distance group made a name for themselves in Rauch Fieldhouse. Five Mountain Hawks were able to finish in the top three, while adding PRs for themselves. Senior Kaja Skerlj had a third-place finish in the 400m (58.90). Lehigh was able to sweep the 800m event, having seniors Julia Dorley (2:16.61) and Hetty McMillian (2:18.97) finish first and second, respectively, while junior Elena Perez-Segnini (2:19.58) finished third in the event.

First-year student Melissa Cunningham quickly made a name for herself in her first meet as a Mountain Hawk. Cunningham placed fourth in the 60m (7.83). She added a second-place finish in the 200m as well (25.66).

"I think Melissa showed everybody on our team what she's made of. She's a vicious competitor and I was pleasantly surprised with her," said Utesch.

Lehigh's jumping group was able to find success in their first meet of the 2021-22 season. In the triple jump, sophomore Nina Cialone (11.15m) and junior Rachel Sequeira (11.10m) finished second and third, respectively.

Junior, Calista Marzolino (1.70m) finished first for the Mountain Hawks in the high jump while grabbing a new PR. Coach Utesch has high expectations for the junior this season.

"It was a great season opener for her," said Utesch. "She jumped 5'7", which in three of the last five years, has won a Patriot League Championship. I'm excited to see how far she can go this season."

The Mountain Hawks will return to Rauch Fieldhouse on January 15 for the Angry Birds Challenge, where they will host American, Bucknell, Fairleigh Dickinson, Sacred Heart, Saint Joseph's and Temple.