Seahawks compete at Bridgewater St. invitational

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. - Salve Regina University women's track & field competed in its first event of the 2014 season at the Bridgewater State University Invitational on Saturday.

Notable finishes for the Seahawks include:

• Tara Ruddy (Sparta, N.J.) - 200 meter dash (8) 28.31
• Taylor Donaldson (Clinton, Conn.) - 400 meter dash (2) 1:02.85
• Lindsey Sasso (Watertown, Conn.) - 400 meter dash (7) 1:06.88
• Amy Irving (Bohemia, N.Y.) - 800 meter run (8) 2:37.44
• Taylor Ricker (Rocky Point, N.Y.) - 5000 meter run (5) 20:36.84
• Victoria Varone (Providence, R.I.) - 5000 meter run (6) 20:46.61
• MaryElizabeth Pfund (Tenafly, N.J.) - 100 meter hurdles (8) 19.17
• Chrissy Fraga (Milford, Mass.) - 400 meter hurdles (4) 1:12.13; Triple Jump (3) 9.76 meters
• Kayley Ryan (Portland, Conn.) - 3000 meter Steeplechase (2) 12:58.44
• Rylee Candon (Warwick, R.I.) - High Jump (5) 1.45 meters; Long Jump (3) 4.67 meters
• Kaitlin Goy (Bethlehem, Pa.) - Pole Vault (2) 2.60 meters
• Samantha Whitaker (Smithfield, R.I.) - Pole Vault (3) 2.45 meters
• Victoria Luerssen (Miller Place, N.Y.) - Pole Vault (4) 2.45 meters
• Rebecca Longvall (Boylston, Mass.) - Javelin Throw (3) 38.92 meters

Longvall's javelin throw is a personal best and ranks as the third-best in New England track & field among Division III competitors. For complete results click here.

The Seahawks travel to New London, Conn., on March 29 for the Coast Guard Track & Field Invitational.

"The first meet of the season is always interesting," says head coach Matthew Hird, "bringing both surprises and promising performances. The Bridgewater invitational proved to be no exception. The good news started with Rebecca opening up with a personal best in the javelin throw, only four feet off the school record (Karen Luchun - 131'9) and good for the third-longest throw in Division III New England rankings."

"Many Seahawks opened up with collegiate personal records or with performances which equaled their best effort from last year. Rylee Candon equaled her collegiate best in the high jump. Taylor Donaldson duplicated her feat in the 400m, placing second with a 62.85, only .05 off her collegiate best and only .4 seconds off the school record held by assistant coach Kacie Gallo. Kaitlin Goy garnered a second place in the pole vault, leading a 2-3-4 Salve Regina sweep with a personal best of 8'6". Both Tiffany Davila (Smithfield, R.I.) in the hammer and Laura Miller (Thomaston, Conn.) in the javelin also came close to their personal bests with efforts of 98'8 and 87'4, respectively."

"The sprinters suffered with significant and consistent headwinds of up to six meters a second in their races so their times were not outstanding but showed promise for future meets."

Hird also commented that "because of the wind, it was necessary to do a little more detailed analysis of some of the results like the sprints and jumps. Chrissy Fraga was a foot shy of her collegiate best but was plowing into that same headwind. Our 4x100m relay suffered from a collision in the second exchange zone, an ill third leg, and an uncomfortable third handoff, but still managed a very good time for this early in the season. Likewise the 4x400m team recorded the best time in a number of years which bodes well for the future. There were many good things to take away from this meet as well as some indication that we need to work on a few things. All-in-all a good debut and a strong base for future success."