Lopez Claims Top Finish for Lancers at CGA Bear Invite

Worcester, MA- The Worcester State University Women's Indoor Track & Field team put together a determined and well-rounded performance Saturday at the CGA Bears Invite #2 hosted by Coast Guard, highlighted by finals appearances on the track, podium finishes in the field, and another strong showing from the Lancers' throws group.

Worcester State made an early impact in the 55m dash as junior Alexis Strong (Southington, CT) qualified for the finals with a 7.67 and improved to 7.62 to finish fifth overall, leading the Lancers in the short sprint event.

Strong carried that momentum into the 200m, placing seventh in 28.84 to post one of Worcester State's top track finishes of the day. She was joined by sophomore Emily Bodwell (Lakeville, MA) in 11th (29.22) and senior. Bridget O'Malley (Leominster, MA) in 15th (29.69). In the 400m, O'Malley again paced the Lancers with an eighth-place finish in 66.32, while first year Tamara Ayala-Garcia (Lawrence, MA) added a top-ten result in ninth (67.03). First years Janine Betcher (Fontana, CA) and Lilah Delongchamp (Worcester, MA) followed closely behind in a tightly packed field.

The hurdles proved to be another bright spot as sophomore Arianna Farrell (Wilmington, MA) qualified for the 55m hurdles final with a 9.99 and placed fifth overall in 10.03.

In the middle distances, Worcester State showed its depth across the 800m and mile. Sophomore Samantha Edwards (East Longmeadow, MA) led the way in the 800m with a 10th-place finish (2:39.87), just ahead of first year Anna Serafini (Leominster, MA) in 11th and fellow first year Caydence Carr (Upton, MA) in 12th. In the mile, Carr (13th), Serafini (14th), and Edwards (15th) all crossed within seconds of one another, while seniors Leah Berg (Worcester, MA) and Jillian McMenemy (Westborough, MA) added strong efforts. Senior  Kelsey Gendreau (Seekonk, MA) added a ninth-place finish in the 3,000m.

The Lancers were particularly strong in the field events. In the high jump, junior Lauren Condike (East Longmeadow, MA) cleared 1.38m on her first attempt to earn a third-place finish, while Delongchamp matched the height to place fifth.

The throws group delivered the top highlight of the meet as first year. Jenna Lopez (West Springfield, MA) captured first place in the shot put with a throw of 11.39m. Lopez also added a seventh-place finish in the weight throw. Senior Ava Piccolo (Tewksbury, MA) turned in a podium performance of her own, placing third in the weight throw with a mark of 11.91m. First year Makenna Perro (Brookfield, MA), junior Luana Grau-Moura (Marlborough, MA), and sophomore Charlotte Collins (Weymouth, MA) contributed solid throws to round out a productive day in the circle.

In the horizontal jumps, sophomore Emily Bodwell (Lakeville, MA) placed fifth in the triple jump with a mark of 10.03m, while Betcher added a top-ten result in ninth.

Worcester State is back in late action next Sunday, February 15th, as they compete at the MASCAC Championship hosted by Westfield State at Wheaton College.