The University of Rhode Island women’s track team began their indoor season last weekend, splitting their group to compete at both the Alden Invitational and Suffolk Relays.
Brown University hosted the Alden Invitational, where URI sent their throwers to compete. Two throwers placed in the top five in shot put and weight throw.
Third-year Megan Wood placed third in shot put with a 44’ 8.25” throw while first-year Alyssa Yankee placed fourth with a 41’ 6.5” mark.
Wood earned fifth place in weight throw by a mark of 52’ 4.75”. Her teammate, fourth-year Erynn Field, placed third with a 53’ 3.75” mark.
Meanwhile, the runners for URI were a state away at the Track at New Balance in Boston, Massachusetts for the Suffolk Relays.
The Rams had a successful outing, according to head coach Laurie Feit-Melnick. Both second-year Lily Saul and graduate student Hanna O’Connor set meet records.
“We had a very solid day,” Feit-Melnick said. “We had numerous personal bests.”
Saul, running a personal-best time of 2:58.75, won the 1000 meter event. Fourth-year Elise LePage, first-year Lily Pittakas and second-year Linsey Arends also earned top five placements in the event.
O’Connor’s record-setting time of 5:01.93 in the mile was also accompanied by three other Rams in the top 10.
Fourth-year Molly Sabia also won her event, the 5000 meter, with a time of 17:50.53. She was the lone Ram to compete in this event.
Aside from LePage, other second place highlights from URI include fourth-year captain Sydney Federico (41.29 seconds) in the 300 meter and third-year Madeline Till (10:22.36) in the 3000 meter.
Erin Hurley, Daniella Napoli and Sophia DiMuccio earned their spots in the top 10 of Till’s event, while Federico was joined by Amyah Santana in seventh place in the 300 meter.
Federico’s relay team also won the 4×400 meter, followed by O’Connor’s group taking second place and a third URI team consisting of third-year Lindsay Turgeon, first-year Lilly Pittakas , fourth-year Corina Vidal and second year Linsey Arends earning fourth place.
“I want to see everybody improve, we have a really young team this year,” Federico said. “I’m really excited to see how everybody does. I think a successful season would be one where everybody is improving their times. Then, everything else will fall into place.”
Following the URI Pentathlon on Saturday, the team will not compete next until Jan. 14.
“During the five week break it’s pretty hard to stay disciplined because you go home and a lot of the time practicing outside gets really cold,” Federico said. “But, I definitely want to improve my speed endurance and I think that would be a good time to do it. During this time away I’ll be doing everything I can to be in a really good spot when we come back here in January.”
However, according to coach Feit-Melnick, there is work to be done before and during winter break that doesn’t have to do with running.
“You gotta get through finals,” Feit-Melnick said. “The most important thing is academics. You get through your finals, but you gotta train over break, and then we’re back here on Jan. 3. We put a huge free clinic on Jan. 7 for children. And we ask that they bring a non-personal food item. We give it to Rhody Outpost, so we try to do a lot of community service.”
The Rams host their 27th Annual Pentathlon on Friday at 11 a.m.