Elon’s Oram, Esposito Improve Ranking at NCAA Track and Field East Preliminary

JACKSONVILLE, Florida. – Senior Allyson Oram and freshman Jennifer Esposito both improved their rankings in their respective events as members of the Elon University women’s track and field team competed on the first day at the NCAA East Preliminaries on Thursday, May 29, at the University of North Florida.

Esposito finished 33rd overall in the 400-meter hurdles after breaking under the one-minute barrier for the second time this season. The Mansfield, Massachusetts, native clocked in a time of 59.89 after coming into the meet ranked 44th in the region.

“I’m very pleased with how Jen ran today,” said Elon head track and field coach Mark Elliston. “I’m very proud of the way she battled and was able to improve by 11 spots against some tough, quality competition. I don’t think you’ve seen the last of her here at the regional meet.”

Oram capped off her terrific career with an eight-spot improvement in the 10,000-meter race. The Marlborough, Mass., native ran a time of 36:08.35 and finished 34th overall after being declared at No. 42 in the event coming into the race.

Oram leaves Elon as one of the more decorated distance runners in school history, holding nearly every indoor and outdoor record on the program’s all-time list. She also received numerous All-Southern Conference accolades while capturing the 3,000-meter SoCon indoor title this season.

Fellow senior Bria Bell also competed in her first NCAA Regional meet for the Phoenix. Bell ran a time of 55.22 in the 400-meters and closes out her career with the maroon and gold also as a conference champion and record-holder in the event. Bell also leaves Elon with multiple All-SoCon honors on her resume as well.

The Phoenix has two more athletes in competition on day two, May 30, at the NCAA East Preliminaries. Sophomores Megan Kirschling and Sydney Griffin will compete in the high jump and 100-meter hurdles, respectively, with the high jump beginning at 5 p.m.