READING, Pa. – The Franklin & Marshall women's indoor track & field team got another first-place finish in the mile from Elizabeth O'Connell to highlight a busy day at Alvernia's Winter Invitational on Saturday. The event saw the Diplomats set four more marks that rank among the program's top 10 performances all-time.
O'Connell set a new personal best in the mile for the second consecutive meet, crossing the line in a time of 5:23.19 and keeping her in third place in the College's record book. The mid-distance events were a strength overall as F&M had a pair of top four finishes in the 800 meters. Lexi Salerno turned in a personal-best time of 2:23.57 to move up to sixth in the school record book. Laura Greene, who already ranks among the program's top 10, placed fourth with a time of 2.23.89. Salerno was also the team's top finisher in the 400 meter dash (1:05.45). F&M capped its day on the track with a seventh-place finish in the 4x400 meter relay.
In the sprints, both Abby Lienhard and Christline Edward just missed improving their personal best marks with times of 8.49 seconds and 8.60 seconds, respectively, in the 60 meter dash. Edward was also in action during the 200 meters where her time of 27.78 seconds placed her ninth at the meet.
Lienhard had another busy day overall. In addition to leading the team in the 60 meters, she was the team's top performer in the long jump (4.83; 15-10.25") and triple jump (8.96m; 29'4.75"). Lienhard's long jump matched her personal best from 2020 which is eighth on the F&M all-time performance list. Lena Bell was just behind her teammate in both of those events. Aspen Mazzatta also left her mark in the field events as her weight throw of 10.34 meters (33'11.25") makes her the third Diplomat this season to move into the program's top 10 for that event. Stephani Franks added yet another strong performance in the pole vault as she cleared 2.90m (9'6.25") to finish in sixth place.
Women's indoor track & field will return home to host its third event of the season on Friday, January 28 when the team takes part in the Little Dip Invitational. Although fan attendance is currently limited to faculty, staff, and students in the F&M testing protocols, a live stream and live results will be available to follow all of the action inside the Alumni Sports & Fitness Center.
Franklin & Marshall Top Performances
200 meters
9. Christline Edward – 27.78
800 meters
3. Lexi Salerno – 2:23.57 (sixth in school history)
4. Laura Greene – 2:23.89
Mile
1. Elizabeth O'Connell 5:23.19 (third in school history)
Long Jump
12. Abby Lienhard – 4.83m (15'10.25") (eighth in school history)
Pole Vault
6. Stephani Franks – 2.90m (9'6.25")
Weight Throw
19. Aspen Mazzatta – 10.34m (33'11.25) (10th in school history)
