HPU Women’s Track Wraps Up Weekend At Winthrop

ROCK HILL, S.C. – The High Point University women’s track & field completed a weekend of competition with a series of top-5 finishes at the Winthrop Invitational Saturday.

Sophomore Alexis Fernandez finished third in the high jump with a mark of 11.35m (37-3). The mark was just .36m off her personal best. Freshman Kela Seals earned an 18th-place finish in the event with a mark of 10.02m (32-10.50).

Freshman Ashlynn Schiro performed well in the 400m hurdles en route to a fourth-place finish in 1:04.46. Fellow freshman CeAnna Soper was 16th in 1:07.24 and freshman Haley Cianfarini finished 26th in 1:11.30.

Cianfarini also placed 22nd in the 100m hurdles (16.34 seconds). Another freshman, Mackenzie Vermette, finished 10th in the javelin with a mark of 32.07m (105-2.75) in a solid outing for the Enfield, Conn., product.

“In many ways this weekend was more about growth opportunities than great performances,” associate head coach Eric Dudley said. “Erika Bridges nobly completed her first heptathlon. Catelyn Griffin grew up a lot as a cold weather vaulter. Lexi [Fernandez] brought her focus back in triple jump. Freshman hurdlers Ashlynn Schiro, CeAnna Soper and Haley Cianfarini had the opportunity to apply a planned race pattern in the 400m hurdles race. Jamie [Schnuck] competed her way into finals in the hammer, earning three more chances to improve. We try to be very process focused, and part of that process is overcoming your own demons, fears, and obstacles before you can conquer the competition.”

HPU returns to action April 3-4 with one of the highlights of the outdoor season – the 2015 VertKlasse Meeting inside Vert Stadium.