Whittier, CA – Mid-month, the Occidental women's track and field team participated in the SCIAC Multi-Dual 3, hosted by Whittier College. Also in attendance were Chapman University, Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, California Lutheran University, and University of La Verne.
With all teams preparing for the conference championships, it was a competitive meet. Sophomore Eliza Hawley continued her strong season by winning the 100 meter dash with a new personal record, clocking in at 12:36 seconds. This performance propelled Hawley to the eighth spot on the All-Time Oxy list. She was followed by sophomore Francesca Candelieri who crossed the finish line in fifth place with a lifetime best of 12.72 seconds. Hawley went on to secure third place in the 200 meter dash with a time of 25.39. Additionally, Hawley along with teammates Candelieri, Isabel Yaffe, and Emma Watkins, produced an outstanding team performance in the 4x100 meter relay with a time of 48.35 seconds. Meanwhile, first year Delphine Way had a victorious 400 meter run, crossing the finish line in 1:00.44, setting a new personal record in the process.
In the middle distance events, sophomores Mia Ness and Megan Cover each had their first collegiate wins. Ness claimed the 800 meter run with a six-second lead over her nearest competition with a personal record time of 2:23.87. Cover won the 1500 meter with a time of 4:49.49, just over two seconds ahead of the CMS runner that was hot on her heels.
In the field events, junior Chelsea Groves notched another double-PR day with her throws in the shot put and discus. In the shot put, Groves threw 33'8" and in the discus, she launched 108'2", marking an improvement of over a foot in the discus. Senior Gabriela Knutsen continued to showcase her strength in the shot put with a fourth place finish, throwing 36'1.5". Meanwhile in the javelin throw, senior Kate Cobain and junior Michelle Lagunas-Monroy finished in fourth and fifth respectively, with distances of 29.32 meters (92'2") and 29.26 meters (96'). In the jumps, senior Emily Dolida secured fifth place in the long jump with a leap of 4.75 meters (15'7").
The women's track and field team will compete in the SCIAC Championships this Saturday and Sunday. Pomona-Pitzer will be hosting the meet in Claremont, CA.
