LANCASTER, Pa. – The Franklin & Marshall women's track & field team was back at home inside the Alumni Sports & Fitness Center on Friday afternoon for the Mini-Dip Invitational. Competing inside their home facility, the Diplomats got a new school record from Sydney Dzenutis and several other top marks in the Centennial Conference to highlight a strong day of competition.
Dzenutis won the 600 meter title in a school record time of 1:41.40, besting the previous record that was held by Megan Hunter '10 (1:42.32) for over a decade. Dzenutis also made her mark in the school record books in the 300 meter race with her runner-up finish in 44.31 seconds. That time was the fourth-fastest in school history, while teammate Abby Lienhard posted the sixth-fastest time in school history (44.69) for that event.
Lienhard's top 10 performance was part of a strong meet overall for the Franklin & Marshall senior. She additionally took second the long jump (5.09 meters) and fifth in the 60 meter dash (8.34). The Diplomats' field events were strong overall as they added runner-up finishes from Allison Huelbig (triple jump) and Jillian Barger (weight throw). Barger now ranks second in the conference this season with her throw of 14.42 meters, which is also third in school history. Huelbig posted the seventh-best triple jump (9.90m) in school history and additionally took fourth during the high jump (1.45m).
Franklin & Marshall added two more top-five finishes in the mid-distance events from Emma Kline and Alysse Danyi. Kline posted the seventh-best 800 meter time (2:27.26) in the Centennial Conference this year with a fourth-place showing. Danyi was fourth in the mile, posting a time of 5:42.42.
Women's track & field will be back in action next Saturday when the team competes at Ursinus' Frank Colden Invitational. That meet is set for a 10 a.m. start in Collegeville.
Franklin & Marshall Top Performances
300 Meters
2. Sydney Dzenutis (44.31) – fourth in school history
5. Abby Lienhard (44.69) – sixth in school history
600 Meters
1. Sydney Dzenutis (1:41.40) – school record
800 Meters
6. Emma Kline (2:27.26) – seventh in CC
Triple Jump
2. Allison Huelbig (9.90m) – seventh in school history
Weight Throw
2. Jillian Barger (14.42m) – second in CC, third in school history
