Elon Track and Field Wraps up Competition at NCAA East Preliminaries

JACKSONVILLE, Florida. – The Elon University women’s track and field team completed competition at the 2014 NCAA East Preliminaries today, May 30, at Hodges Stadium at the University of North Florida.

“I’m very happy with the experience that the young ladies were able to gather during this week,” said Elon head track and field coach Mark Elliston. “While the results were not what we had hoped, this will serve as a springboard for the returners going into next season.”

The Elon sophomore duo of Sydney Griffin and Megan Kirschling were in action for the maroon and gold on the second day of the preliminary round. Griffin competed in the 100-meter hurdles and clocked in a time of 14.12 in the race.

Kirschling cleared the bar at 5’5.75” (1.67m) in her first attempt in the high jump, but was unable to advance any further as she saw her season come to an end.

Of the program-record five athletes that competed at the NCAA East Prelims this year, Elon only loses seniors Bria Bell and Allyson Oram to graduation while Griffin, Kirschling and freshman Jennifer Esposito each return next season. Another sophomore, Tereza Novotna, also returns after narrowly missing out on reaching the preliminary round by one spot and a time of .1 in the 3,000-meter steeplechase.