Scott BresslerWashington University’s women’s track and field team finished third last weekend at the NCAA indoor championships meet while all six athletes competing received All-American citations, highlighted by senior Morgen Leonard-Fleckman winning the pole vault.
“[Nationals] was something I’ll remember for a long time,” said Sangeeta Hardy. “It was an incredible experience to compete with the best Division III runners in the nation.”
The third place finish was the highest ever in school history, topping the previous record of ninth place. Illinois Wesleyan University won the meet with 30 points while Wartburg College had 27 and Wash. U. had 23.
Leonard-Fleckman’s crowing jump was 3.86 meters, the greatest height cleared in Division III competition this season. Though she tied North Central College’s Rachel Secrest in terms of height, she needed fewer attempts.
“I have been focusing on the process, not the outcome,” said Leonard-Fleckman. “Track is a lot about momentum. When the distance medley got fourth, Dani [Wadlington] and I got pumped. When she came in second, I thought I could win.”
This was Leonard-Fleckman’s third All-American citation after finishing eighth in the indoor pole vault competition in 2006 and fifth in the outdoor meet. She was also named the field athlete of this year’s meet.
Junior Danielle Wadlington also received her third All-American award, finishing second in the triple jump with a leap of 11.68 meters, just 0.02 meters behind winner Shannon O’Keeffe of State University of New York-Brockport.
The distance medley relay team completed the Red and Green’s successful meet. The team of freshmen Kelli Blake, Hardy and Taryn Surtees and junior Erika Wade came in fourth with a time of 12:04.95.
“Our goal was to have six All-Americans,” said Wadlington. “To have performances that went above and beyond and to win a team award was great.”
The previous weekend, the Bears had a successful UAA Championship meet. The women came in second, just three points behind winner University of Chicago, while the men finished fourth.
“It was really disappointing to come in second because we had such a long streak at first, but everyone competed well and had a great meet. The conference has gotten a lot better,” said Leonard-Fleckman.
Wash. U. brought home eight titles over the course of the meet.
Freshman Ben Harmon was a star on the men’s side, winning both the high jump and long jump. He also tied for third in the pole vault with classmate Scott Pettit and was a member, along with sophomore Iby Umana, junior Nate Koslof and senior Marcus Woods of the second place 4×400-meter relay team. For his efforts, he was named UAA Indoor Rookie of the Year.
Freshman Zhefu Xiao won the pole vault to bring home another men’s title. Senior Jesse McDaniel took second in the 3,000 and 5,000-meter runs while Koslof was third in the 400-meter dash.
On the women’s side, Leonard-Fleckman and Wadlington also brought home UAA titles in the pole vault and triple jump, respectively. Leonard-Fleckman was also named the Field Athlete of the Year. Junior Jessica Lane finished third in the pole vault.
Senior Tricia Frisella won the 5,000-meter run while classmate Tyler Mulkin was a close second. Senior Angela Hartman brought home another title, winning the 800-meter run, an event in which Hardy also came in third. The 4×400-meter relay, consisting of Wade, Hartman, Hardy and sophomore Allison Lee won Wash. U.’s final title of the meet.
Wadlington also finished second in the 55-meter hurdles while Blake and Surtees took second and third in the mile run. Wade and Wadlington also took second and third in the 400-meter dash.
To round out the action, junior Aubrey Edwards finished third in the weight throw while the distance medley relay team of seniors Kate Pentak and Abbey Hartmann, Lee and freshman Vie Duncan also finished third.
Thoughts now turn toward the outdoor season, which begins Friday with the Washington University Twilight meet.
“Our training is for the outdoors season, so we haven’t peaked yet,” said Wadlington.
“Everyone is a lot more excited now,” said Leonard-Fleckman. “We all really want to win outdoor nationals now. We know it will take a lot of work and coming so close in conference makes us want to cream University of Chicago.”