MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University track and field team was led by sophomore pole vaulter Alexandra Acker who hit a mark of 3.82-meters today, at the State Farm Games held at the WVU Shell Building. An ECAC qualifying mark, Acker’s performance is the second-best in school history, behind Erin Nett (4.07-meters) who set the bar in 2001.
“I could never say that a program is exceeding expectations but we’re progressing every week,” comments Coach Sean Cleary. “For who we are and what we have, we are progressing every week and that is very exciting.”
Chelsea Carrier took first in the 60-meter hurdle event with a time of 8.56. Carrier’s mark was the fifth-best time in WVU indoor history, a personal best and an ECAC qualifying time.
Karly Hamric (2:56.06) and Alison Spiker (2:57.90) finished one-two in the 1000-meter run, both of which are BIG EAST qualifying marks; Hamric’s time was a personal best. Kate Harrison finished third with a time of 3:00.31, followed by (3:05.87) who ran unattached. Jordan Hamric
Junior April Rotilio ran a personal-best and an ECAC qualifying time of 7.64 in the 60-meter dash, taking first place, followed by Carrier who placed third with a BIG EAST qualifying time of 7.80. Rotilio also took first in the 200-meter dash (24.96) for her second ECAC qualifying mark of the day.
Both and Keri Bland won their events with ECAC qualifying times; Grandt took the 3000-meter (9:46.85) and Bland won the mile event (4:52.62), respectively. Clara Grandt
In the field events, Natasha Redman placed first in the high jump, crossing a BIG EAST qualifying mark of 1.68-meters, while Megan Mock tied for second in the event (1.60-meters).
Along with rival Pitt, WVU competed against Allegheny College, Bethany College (W.Va.), Duquesne, Frostburg State, Hagerstown CC, Indiana (Pa.), Juniata College, Seton Hill and Slippery Rock.
Next up, the Mountaineers travel to State College, Pa., to compete in the Penn State National Invitational on January 30-31.