Distance leads HPU women’s track on day two at ETSU

• Junior Cozette Collin finished fifth out of 75 runners in the mile run (5:10.91)
• Collin also placed 20th out of 116 participants in the 800m run (2:22.08)
• Senior Sarah Bode won her 3000m run heat and finished seventh overall (10:48.53)

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – The High Point University distance unit put together a number of solid performances to lead the women’s track & field team on the final day of the ETSU Buccaneer Invitational Saturday.

Leading the way for the Purple & White, junior Cozette Collin finished fifth in the mile run in a strong time of 5:10.91. It marked her best time in the mile since the 2014 indoor season. In addition, freshman Janelle Rothacker placed 24th in a time of 5:31.29.

Senior Sarah Bode put forth an outstanding performance in her sectional leg of the 3000m run, claiming victory in her heat with a time of 10:48.53. The finish topped Bode’s previous PR in the event by close to 30 seconds and earned her a seventh place finish overall.

Collin also finished 20th out of 116 runners in the 800m run in a time of 2:22.08. Rothacker won her heat in the 800m sectionals and finished 32nd overall (2:26.31), while freshman Keaton Case placed 53rd in 2:34.11.

On the jumps circuit, junior Amanda Gregory finished 20th in the long jump (5.21m, 17-1.25) and fellow junior Alyn Carr placed 23rd with an indoor PR of 5.11m (16-9.25).

High Point’s 4x400m relay quartet of freshmen Emmy Geis and Jasmyn Gillespie and sophomores Haley Cianfarini and CeAnna Soper placed 20th in the event with a time of 4:09.10.

The Panthers return to the Triad to host their annual home meet, the HPU Team Challenge, on Thursday (Feb. 11) at the JDL Fast Track in Winston-Salem, N.C.