NORFOLK, Va. – The Franklin & Marshall women's track & field team captured four individual titles and among its numerous top five finishes at the Virginia Weselyan Spring Break Invitational on Saturday. With the team opening up its outdoor season, the Diplomats carried their momentum from the indoor championships right into the return to competition under the southern sun.
The throwers were particularly strong in the opening event as they set six new marks in the program's top 10 record book across the four events. Emma Steffan's win in the shot put (11.31m) highlighted those efforts, with Jillian Barger (hammer; 40.85m) and Rachel Caruso (javelin; 32.86m) finishing as a runner-up.
Stephani Franks was the individual winner in the pole vault (3.06m), clearing the second-highest mark in school history. Abby Lienhard finished second in the long jump (4.94m), adding further high placements on the track.
Christline Edward was a winner in the 400 meter hurdles (1:05.61), posting the third-quickest time in school history. She was also runner-up in the 100 meter hurdles (16.89), becoming the sixth-fastest individual in school history.
Elizabeth O'Connell was the 5,000 meter champion as he crossed the line in a time of 19:42.67. Her closest competition came from her own teammate as Emma Kline (19:54.77) was second in that same event. Tatum Evans highlighted a strong showing from the sprinters, placing third in both the 200 meters (27.81) and 400 meters (1:02.41).
Franklin & Marshall's outdoor season will continue with another early highlight on the schedule as the Diplomats take part in the Little Three Meet. The majority of the events will be held at Dickinson on Saturday, March 26 while the hammer event will be hosted at Gettysburg a day earlier.
Franklin & Marshall Top Five Finishes
100 Meters
3. Abby Lienhard - 13.66
200 Meters
3. Tatum Evans - 27.81
4. Abby Lienhard - 29.02
400 Meters
3. Tatum Evans - 1:02.41
4. Sydney Dzenutis - 1:03.50
5. June Sanchez - 1:03.89
800 Meters
3. Grace Miske - 2:43.42
1,500 Meters
2. Sydney Dzenutis - 5:10.41
3. June Sanchez - 5:12.88
4. Alysse Danyi - 5:26.78
5. Grace Miske - 5:27.98
5,000 Meters
1. Elizabeth O'Connell - 19:42.67
2. Emma Kline - 19:54.77
100 Hurdles
2. Christline Edward - 16.89 (sixth in school history)
400 Meter Hurdles
1. Christline Edward - 1:05.61 (third in school history)
High Jump
3. Julianne Cadden - 1.32m
Pole Vault
1. Stephani Franks - 3.06m (second in school history)
Long Jump
2. Abby Lienhard - 4.94m
Shot Put
1. Emma Steffan - 11.31m (seventh in school history)
Discus
4. Aspen Mazzatta - 37.65m (fourth in school history)
Hammer Throw
2. Jillian Barger - 40.85m (third in school history)
3. Emma Steffan - 36.96m
4. Aspen Mazzatta - 33.16m (eighth in school history)
5. Rachel Caruso - 30.88m (ninth in school history)
Javelin
2. Rachel Caruso - 32.86m (seventh in school history)
3. Jillian Barger - 24.42m
