Elon Track & Field Sits in Second After Day One of SoCon Championships

STATESBORO, Ga. – Highlighted by three conference champions, including a sweep of the podium in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, the Elon track and field team had an outstanding first day at the 2013 Southern Conference Championships on Saturday, April 20. Elon scored 54 points on the opening day and currently sits in second place in the meet at the Eagle Track & Field Complex at Erk Russell Athletic Park.

“Today was a very exciting and inspirational day,” said Phoenix head coach Mark Elliston. “Everyone did a really great job, especially the throwers and the distance group. They have really set the stage for us going into tomorrow’s events.”

Elon made a clean sweep of the women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase, with Emily Tryon finishing third (10:51.01), Tereza Novotna finishing second (10:42.95) and Caroline McCaslin taking home the individual title (10:42.89). It was the first time in program history that the Phoenix has taken the top three spots in an event.

Kimberlyn Holt earned the hammer throw crown after breaking her own school-record with a mark of 53.45m (175’4”). Charlise Morgan also threw a new personal-record in the event and finished fourth overall with a throw of 160’1” (48.79m).

Suzanne Martin claimed the individual title in the javelin throw with her heave of 41.85m (137’4”). The Phoenix’s Jennifer Jarvis was fifth with a mark of 120’8” (36.77m).

McCaslin and Novotna each earned a spot on the SoCon All-Freshmen team with their performance as well as all-league honors. Holt, Martin and Tryon also earned All-SoCon accolades on the first day.

In the 100-meter hurdles, freshmen Sydney Griffin advanced to the finals after clocking the second-best time in the race with a qualifying mark of 14.66. Veronica Luedke also advanced to the finals in the 400-meter hurdles with her runner-up qualifying time of 1:02.34.

The Phoenix returns to action tomorrow with the meet kicking off the final day at 8:30 a.m.

Additional Comments
Christine Engel, Elon head cross country and assistant track and field coach on sweeping the podium:
“It’s a great day for out program and the distance runners as well. All three of them have had a really great season and they ran their race so well today. I am so proud of them to say the least.”

Michael Gusbeth, Elon assistant track and field coach on the impact of his throwers today:
“It was really exciting to see all of them perform very well today and to have a couple of them earn a conference championship. Both Kimberlyn and Suzanne worked hard for their goal and beat some quality competition today.

Women’s Team Results – Day 1
1. Appalachian State – 71.5
2. Elon – 54
3. Western Carolina – 34.5
4. Samford – 29
5. Georgia Southern – 20
6. Furman – 10
7. College of Charleston – 8
8. Davidson – 4
9. Wofford – 3
10. The Citadel – –
11. UNCG – –
12. Chattanooga – –