Women’s Track Reigns Supreme

Once again, the women of the running Raiders had an extremely successful week. Traveling to the Bison Outdoor Classic at Bucknell University, the ladies posted six top-four finishes, three Colgate records and one ECAC qualification.

The first Colgate record to fall came in the 1,500m, courtesy of senior Liz Crowley. Covering the distance in 4:35.36, Crowley finished eighth of fifty-six competitors.

“I really wasn’t expecting to break the record last weekend, so it was a really exciting surprise,” Crowley said. “My goal for the rest of the season is to continue dropping my times and to qualify for ECAC’s and the NCAA Regional.”

Sophomore Rita Santibanez made headlines once again. Having already obliterated the indoor shot put record, she attacked the outdoor record with full force. With a toss of 43-9.00 feet, Santibanez not only bested her previous best by nearly three feet, but secured first place and a new Colgate record. She handled the javelin in a similar manner a few hours later, coming in second with a throw of 139-09 feet. With yet another record added to the books, Santibanez also qualified for the ECAC Championships in May.

Additional support came from the sprints when sophomore Curry Knox racked up fourth and second place finishes in the 100m and 200m sprints, respectively. Knox ran the 100m in 12.51. and her fastest 200m run of the season in 25.85.

Sophomore Nicole Christoforo came in fourth in the 800m in 2:14.79. Running for the first time this season, the combination of first-years Emily Oliver and Susan Fortkiwicz, junior Kathryn Marvel, and junior Jessica Kielty crossed the line in 9:49.62 in the 4x 800m relay.

Hindered by the weather, the men’s Tuesday meet with Hamilton College was cancelled. However, senior distance runner Michael Hanlon found out this week that he is ranked thirteenth in the nation by the NCAA in the 5,000m run. Hanlon and the rest of the men’s team look to continue a great season at Holy Cross on Saturday. The women will return to Bucknell with hopes of procuring more qualifications and records before the Patriot League Championships in two weeks.