The track and field team opened their outdoor season with a series of first place finishes at the Danny Curran Invitational hosted by Widener University March 26-27. Senior Priscilla Senyah began her final season with a pair of first place finishes in the 100 and 200-meter dash with times of 12.76 and 25.92 seconds respectively. Senyah barely edged out junior Miriam Khan in the 100-meter, winning by only .02 seconds.
“If we keep trusting in our coaching to get us where we want to go, trust in each other when it comes to the relays, stay positive, and keep working harder and support each other on and off the track, I think we’re going to have a great season,” Senyah said.
Also finishing one-two in the 110-meter hurdles were senior Jianna Spadaccini and junior Meryl Wimberlye. With times of 58.02 and 58.46 seconds respectively, the pair were the only competitors to finish under the one-minute mark. Sophomore Emma Tucci placed first in the long jump with a distance of 5.26 meters. She almost matched her efforts in the javelin throw, earning second with 37.45 meters.
The invitational is in honor of Danny Curran III, a Widener alum who graduated in 1999 and died from hypothermia during a hiking trip in 2000. Curran used to hold the school record for the pole vault, and his father Daniel Curran II not only officiated the event, but presented a commemorative rock for the male and female first place finishers. Junior Tim Blashford’s height of 4.40 meters won the event and tied the current meet record.
“Last year the goal of this meet wasn’t a height, it was to get that rock,” Blashford said. “My coach won it his senior year in college, and he wanted me to get it. Getting second place last year wasn’t the plan. This year it was the same thing, get that rock. It came down to my last attempt, either win it, or not even place in the top 5. Winning that rock means a lot, knowing Mr. Curran has that rock made each year, and knowing what it represents for him, it’s just real special that I have it to remember this all by.”
Other individuals also had an impressive showing at the invitational. Senior Michelle Wallace placed second overall in the 1500-meter run with a time of 4:39.89. Junior indoor track All-American Kyle Gilroy also finished second in the 400-meters hurdles with a time of 55.89 and freshman Robert Searby finished fourth with 56.65. Senior Meghan Miller finished third overall in the same event for the women, finishing in 1:07.28. Freshman Brielle Doremus wasn’t far behind, finishing sixth overall in 1:09.89.
Junior thrower Sarah Wehrhan had a solid meet, placing second in the hammer throw with a distance of 42.98 meters, and third in the discus with a distance of 32.02 meters. Fellow senior Ashley Krauss finished behind Krauss in the hammer throw with 41.13 meters, rounding out the top three. On the men’s side, seniors Zach Goldstein and Steve Liccketto took fourth and sixth in the hammer throw with throws of 49.67 and 45.67 meters respectively.
The Lions continue their season this Friday and Saturday at the Sam Howell Invitational hosted by Princeton University.
