Field Events Lead Eagles at Juniata Invitational

HUNTINGDON, Pa. - The Juniata women's track and field team kicked off the outdoor season at home at the Juniata College Invite on Saturday. 

The Eagles excelled in the field events, showing promise for what is yet to come this season. Freshman Christen Cooper (Chester, NJ / West Morris Central) placed 4th in the hammer throw, reaching a distance of 34.61m with senior Sarah Rhodes (Bloomfield, NY / Bloomfield) behind in 8th place, throwing a distance of 31.65m.

In the javelin event, freshman Kylie Orndorf (Milheim, Pa. / Penns Valley) threw 30.42m, placing 5th. Senior Alissa Sellers (Huntingdon, Pa. / Huntingdon), junior Katie Fisher (Rochester, NY / Greece Athena), and junior Katy Leamer (Altoona, Pa. / Bellwood-Antis) finished in 9th, 10th, and 12th place in the long jump event, respectively. Sellers jumped a distance of 4.55m in the event. Fisher also placed 3rd in the high jump event, clearing a height of 1.47m.

Orndorf placed 6th in shot put, throwing a distance of 9.60, and 7th in discus, reaching 30.65m. Cooper and Rhodes placed 16th and 18th place in discus, throwing distances of 25.95m and 24.16m. 

Sophomore Allyson Kopera (Hastings, Pa. / Northern Cambria) finished the steeplechase event with a time of 12:36.21, placing 2nd. In the 1500m race, freshman Meaghen Stewart (Greensburg, Pa. / Hempfield) placed 11th with a time of 5:19.52. Senior Jecenia Duran (Temple, Pa. / Olley Valley) ran a time of 2:36.01 in the 800m, placing 8th. 

In the 400m hurdles event, senior Erin Gaines (Hagerstown, MD / Williamsport) placed 6th with a time of 1:15.56. The Eagles were also competitive in the 4x400m relay, placing 5th due to a combined effort of Duran, Stewart, Caitlyn Gasmen (Bridgewater, NJ / Bridgewater-Raritan), and Chelsea Chizmar (Johnstown, Pa. / Forest Hills).

The team return to action on March 26 at the Jim Taylor Invitational.