The University of Rhode Island women’s track and field team competed at the Atlantic 10 Indoor Championship this weekend in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where it set conference records and personal bests.
The Rams finished in fifth place overall at the meet, and several athletes achieved personal bests in several categories.
“You prepare all year long [for this event],” URI Head Coach Laurie Feit-Melnick said. “The summer is key for training, and putting our best team effort forward coming championship time is most important.”
URI was able to put out their best effort with several standout performances across the events. One standout performance from the Rams was fifth-year thrower Megan Wood. Wood threw 14.21 meters in the shot put. First-year jumper Macy Daigle was able to clear a 5-5 high jump, which tied for third place, playing her part in keeping the Rams in the meet. Lastly, the 4×400-meter team of third-year Lily Saul, second-year Abigail Coletta, third-year Odette van Wyk and fifth-year Sydney Federico was able to walk away with the bronze medal after losing to University of Richmond, who finished in second, by less than a second.
Saul also set an A-10 Championship meet record in the mile. She was able to complete the mile in 4:43.32. This was Saul’s personal best time for the mile, and was able to provide a great chunk of points for the team’s overall score. Saul spoke about her preparation entering both this season and this meet in particular.
“I prepared myself by trying to be more confident this year,” Saul said.
The indoor season still isn’t over, though. The Rams will be traveling to Boston to compete in the New England Women’s Track and Field Championships this weekend.
“We are going to go in with whoever is healthy,” Feit-Melnick said. “We are prepared to do well, we are going to have a great New England Championship, and we will hopefully have a great team meet.”
The Rams will compete in Boston for the NECs on Friday and Saturday.
