EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. – The Franklin & Marshall women's indoor track & field team dominated the mid-distance events at East Stroudsburg's Deschriver Invitational on Saturday as Elizabeth O'Connell won the 800 meters and Lexi Salerno crossed the line first in the mile. Those results came in addition to several more personal bests across all of the events.
O'Connell turned in the second-fastest 800 meter time in the Centennial Conference this year as she crossed the line in 2:21.34, registering the fourth-fastest time in school history. Her closest competition came from teammate Laura Greene, who placed second with a time of 2:24.22 and also ranks among the top five runners in the conference this season. June Sanchez (2:25.01) turned in a personal-best time of 2:25.01, placing fifth and earning the eighth-fastest time in school and the eighth-quickest time in the conference this year. Valerie Fieberg (2:32.67) also earned a top-10 finish in Saturday's 800 meter race.
Salerno's time of 5:23.89 won her the mile as she was joined in the top 10 of that event by teammates Emma Kline (5:37.77), Freya Lindvall (5:44.03), and Alysse Danyi (5:48.22). The Diplomats also had a number of top 10 finishes in the sprints. One week after breaking the school record in the 60 meter dash, Lienhard tied for the second-fastest time in school history in the 55 meter dash (7.70). She additionally set a new PR in the long jump (4.86m; 15'-11.5"), moving up to sixth in school history. Christline Edward had two top 10 finishes, finishing fifth in the 200 meters (27.76) and clocking the fifth-best time in school history in the 55 meter hurdles (9.73).
In addition to Lienhard's new best in the long jump, she was also eighth in the triple jump (9.19m; 30-2"). F&M's field event success included Jillian Barger posting top 10 finishes in both the long jump (4.17m; 13'-8.25") and weight throw (12.26m; 40'-2.75"). Another personal best in the weight throw came from Aspen Mazzatta (11.23m; 36'-10.25"), elevating her to eighth in school history for that event.
Franklin & Marshall will have next weekend away from competition. The Diplomats are slated for just one more regular season meet before the Centennial Conference Championships take place on Saturday, February 26 and Sunday, February 27.
Franklin & Marshall Top 10 Finishes
55 Meters
8. Abby Lienhard – 7.70 (tied second school history)
200 meters
5. Christline Edward – 27.76
7. Tatum Evans – 28.20
800 meters
1. Elizabeth O'Connell – 2:21.34 (fourth in school history, second-best in Centennial this year)
2. Laura Greene – 2:24.22
5. June Sanchez – 2:25.01 (eighth in school history, eighth in Centennial)
10. Valerie Fieberg – 2:32.67
Mile
1. Lexi Salerno – 5:23.89
3. Emma Kline – 5:37.77
7. Freya Lindvall – 5:44.03
9. Alysse Danyi – 5:48.22
55 meter hurdles
10. Christline Edward – 9.73 (fifth school history)
Pole Vault
7. Stephani Franks – 3.00m (9'-10")
Long Jump
9. Abby Lienhard – 4.86m (15'-11.5") (tied sixth in school history)
10. Jillian Barger – 4.17m (13'8.25")
Triple Jump
8. Abby Lienhard – 9.19m (30'2")
Weight Throw
10. Jillian Barger – 12.26m (40-2.75")
