Scott BresslerWashington University’s track and field teams have begun their indoor seasons with a bang. In back to back meets at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Ind., the women’s team placed first and second, while the men’s team placed third and fourth, respectively.
“Our commitment to excelling and training hard over the offseason has made us successful,” said co-captain junior Aubrey Edwards.
The women opened their season with a win at the Friday Night Invitational. They dominated the distance events as the team swept the top six places in the 3000-meter run, led by senior Abbey Hartmann, while classmate Angela Hartman won the 800-meter race. Freshmen Kelli Blake and Sangeeta Hardy also ran a solid 1-2 in the one-mile run while junior Erika Wade and sophomore Allison Lee did the same in the 400-meter dash along with the 4×400 meter relay teams. Sophomore Caitlin Hartsell and junior Danielle Wadlington finished second and third in the 200-meter dash while junior Trudi Pugatch finished third in the 55-meter dash.
In the field events, senior Morgen Leonard-Fleckman led the team, winning the pole vault while surpassing the NCAA provisional qualifying mark. Sophomore Reva Broussard, freshman Emily McNish and Edwards also won the high jump, triple jump and weight throw respectively. Classmates Liat Rome and Edwards took second and third in the shot put.
The men placed fourth at the same meet. Senior Jeff Bayers and freshman Aaron Weidman took one and two in the 3000 meter run while junior Nate Koslof finished second in the 800-meter race. The team also won the 4×400 meter relay. Sophomore Eric Soifer took third in the 55-meter dash as did senior Marcus Woods in the 400-meter dash.
In the field, freshman Ben Harmon won the high jump. Classmate Scott Pettit also took third in the pole vault.
The women followed up their opening effort with a second place finish this past weekend at the Engineer Invitational. Wadlington was among the leading runners, winning the 55-meter hurdles. The women, led by Wade, Hartman and Lee, also swept the top three spots in the 400-meter dash. Seniors Tricia Frisella and Tyler Mulkin also finished 1-2 in the 3,000 meter run. Freshman Taryn Surtees took second in the one mile run. Blake and senior Lisa Sudmeier took second and third in the 800-meter run. The 4×400 meter relay team also finished second.
In the field, Leonard-Fleckman and Edwards each won their second title of the season. Leonard set the school record in the pole vault, clearing 3.65 meters while Edwards won the weight throw. Broussard took second in the high jump while senior Cristina Garmendia took third in the triple jump.
The men finished third, improving on their opening performance. Soifer and Koslof led the team, winning the 55-meter dash and 800-meter run respectively. The 4×400 meter relay team also won their race. Woods had a second place finish in the 400-meter dash. Freshman David Spandorfer finished third in the 3,000 meter run.
In the field, Harmon finished second in the long jump. Pettit also had another third place finish in the pole vault.
Even with these strong opening performances for the men, there’s still more to come, as according to Bayers, about half of the distance squad is injured. The team will definitely be back at full strength for the outdoor season and possibly by the indoor conference championship.
“I have to help make up for the loss of my teammates,” said Bayers. “I have to work even harder.”
The team will now spend its next two weekends at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Ill. On tap for this weekend is the Titan Open, followed by the Bob Keck Invitational next weekend.
“People were close to provisional marks last weekend,” said Edwards. “We will be getting ready to go to nationals next weekend.”