February 18, 2007
AKRON, OHIO – After two solid days of competition, West Virginia University’s track and field team finished in eighth place with 38 points at the 2007 BIG EAST Indoor Championship.
Georgetown won the Championship with 112 points, its first victory since 2001.
“There were some good results from this weekend,” says sixth year coach Jeff Huntoon. “We did better than last year and overall had a solid meet.”
Leading the Mountaineers on the second day was fifth year senior Jessica Czaikowski. The Tottenham, Ontario, native finished second in the 60 meter hurdles (8.35) and fourth in the 60 meter dash (7.52).
“Both finishes were nice accomplishments for Jess after being nicked-up for half of the season,” says Huntoon.
Junior Abbie Stechschulte, who won the conference’s pentathlon crown yesterday, came back Sunday and took fifth in the 60 meter hurdles (8.70).
Senior Halimah Bashir ran a personal best in the 400 meter dash, clocking in at 56.40 for a ninth place finish.
The 4x800 relay team earned quality points for WVU, taking sixth with a time of 9:07.39. Juniors Alison Spiker, Maria Stover-Bartlett and Emma Hunter and sophomore Karly Hamric combined for the finish.
“That team put forth a really good, tough effort,” Huntoon says.
Finally, freshman Kristen Loughry had a great first showing at the Championship, taking fifth in the pole vault with a leap of 3.45 meters.
The Mountaineers now have a week off to train and rest in preparation for the ECAC Championship. The meet will be held in Boston, Mass., March 3-4.