Women's Track Hosts Inaugural Dual Meet
Results
ALBANY, N.Y. – The excitement of debuting a brand new track was dimmed somewhat by the wind and cold, but the University at Albany women's outdoor track program got their chance to compete Saturday afternoon following the conclusion of the men's Dogfight against Connecticut. The women hosted Colgate in the inaugural odd-year dual meet, which will run concurrently with the Dogfight when UAlbany plays host.
Colgate only field athletes in eight events, meaning the UAlbany women did a lot of racing against one another. UAlbany claimed victory in every event contested on the day, including all of the events in which Colgate fielded a competitor. In the sprints, Jillian Haynes won the 100 in 12.91, Aiyanna James won the 200 in 25.62, and Kamilah Williams won the 400 in 58.70. Middle distance saw Kathryn Fanning win the 800 in 2:13.19 and Valentina Talevi win the 1,500 in 5:00.46. Molly Pezzulo won the 5,000 in 18:03.64.
Michelle Anthony won the 100 hurdles in 14.37, and Aderinsola Ajala won the 400 hurdles in 1:06.50. The 4x100 relay team of Ashlee Maduro, Haynes, Anthony, and Kahlia Taylor won in 47.18. The 4x400 relay team of Ashley Moxam, Brianne Bellon, Fanning, and Dominique Claudio won in 4:11.32.
In the field events, Toni Ann Werner won the pole vault with a mark of 10', in her season debut. James won the long jump in 19'-4.25”. Pony Sokiri won the triple jump as the only competitor in the event, with a mark of 37'-9.25”.
The highlight of the day was a new school record in the shot put. Samantha Kosa threw 46'-7.25”, breaking the old record of 45'-3.5” set in 2004 and 2005 by Joy Williams. Kosa's previous outdoor best was 43'-3” set in 2012 at the Miami Hurricane Invitational, though she threw 45'-2.25” at this year's America East Indoor Championships.
In the remaining throwing events, Veleisha Walker won the discus in 126'. Walker also won the javelin in 125'-3”. Lauren Lopano won the Hammer in 135'-7”.
UAlbany has next weekend off from competition before hosting the second home meet of the year, the first annual UAlbany Spring Classic on Saturday, April 19. Shortly after that, the Danes will compete at the Penn Relays, and then America East Outdoor Championships.
