Elon Track and Field Wins Four Events at Liberty Collegiate Invitational

LYNCHBURG, Va. – Four event titles and a new school record by sophomore Simone Jackson in the 100-meters highlighted final day of the Liberty Collegiate Invitational for the Elon University women’s track and field team on Saturday, April 5, at the Matthes-Hopkins Track Complex.

Jackson broke the previous school record of 12.29 that was held by Dana Cataldo after clocking in a time of 12.18 in the 100-meters today. Jackson, who had recorded the second-fastest time in program history earlier this season, finished third overall in the race.

Jackson was a member of the 4×100-meter team that won its race after running the second-fastest time in school history. The quartet of Jackson, Jennifer Pash, Bria Bell and Sydney Griffin clocked in a combined time of 46.99 in the race.

Griffin won the 100-meter hurdles crown with a time of 14.15 while teammate Jennifer Esposito was fifth in the race with a time of 15.13. Esposito finished as the runner-up in the 400-meters with a time of 1:01.96 while Veronica Luedke followed in third with a time of 1:03.78.

Bell and Pash crossed the line in the No. 1 and No. 2 positions, respectively, in the 400-meter dash. Bell ran a time of 56.09 while Pash was close behind after crossing the line at 56.75.

Reigning Southern Conference Field Athlete of the Week, Megan Kirschling, won the high jump title after clearing the bar at 5’7” (1.70m). Haley Laird finished as the runner-up with a mark of 5’5” (1.65m).

Griffin, Bell and Jackson finished second, third and fourth, respectively, in the 200-meter dash with Griffin running the third-fastest time in school history at 24.64. Bell (24.94) and Jackson (25.06) joined Griffin in the top five of the race.

In the 800-meters, Jackie Madden was the top finisher for the Phoenix with her time of 2:15.96. Brennan McDavid had a top-10 standing in the 1,500-meter run with her time of 4:56.34.

Freshman Carrie Abraham was third overall in the triple jump with her mark of 37’9.5” (11.52m), fourth-best mark in school history. Senior Charlise Morgan also had a third place standing in her event, the shot put, after a throw of 45’7.25” (13.90m). Freshman Breanna Warren was the top thrower for the Phoenix in the discus with a toss of 139’5” (42.49m), good for fifth overall.

Elon will split again next weekend, April 11-12, with a group traveling to Furman for the Blue Shoes Invitational. Another group will compete at the Aggie Invitational, hosted by N.C. A&T.