SPORTS
Wildcat Track & Field Finishes Strong in A-10 Championship
photo credit: screen capture from Wildcat Track and Field Facebook page
AMHERST, Mass. – Davidson sophomore Eleni Daughters broke the 800-meter run program record as women’s track and field concluded the Atlantic 10 Outdoor Championship Sunday at the UMass Track & Field Complex.
Daughters edged out Hannah Rieden’s 2017 Duke Invitational time of 2:08.65, crossing the line in sixth in 2:08.26. The Pasadena, Calif., native ran well all weekend, including a 2:08.82 in the preliminary section on Saturday.
Daughters was also a member of the 4×800-meter relay team that took second for the second consecutive outdoor championship. Along with Sophia Mills, Claire Nieusma and Caroline Willis, the relay squad raced the baton 3200m around the track in 8:57.98 – the third fastest result all-time.
George Mason claimed the women’s team title, tallying 159 points. VCU (126) and host Massachusetts (104) rounded out the top three teams.
Senior Caroline Yarbrough finished her A-10 Championship career with 123 total points earned, adding another 16 this weekend. The Greensboro, N.C., native took third in the 5,000-meter run with a time of 16:37.71. Yarbrough won her fourth individual A-10 title Saturday in the 10k.
“What an asset Caroline has been for us throughout her career at the Atlantic 10 Championship,” said Director of Track & Field Jen Straub. “For her to have maintained that consistent level of dominance for four years is a testament to her hard work and dedication! I could not be prouder of her achievements!”
Junior Makayla Binter broke her own record in the heptathlon, registering 4578 points. Binter led the field in the high jump, clearing 1.59 meters (5’2.5) and placed third overall. In just her second ever pentathlon, freshman Hazel Tankard increased her point total from 3677 to 4258, placing sixth in the league.
Senior Tori Long took seventh in the quarter mile and ends her career with the nine fastest 400-meter times in program history including her top mark of 55.75 seconds set in Saturday’s prelims.
The Wildcats wrapped up the weekend with the 4×400-meter relay. Long, Katie Hines, Grace Loehr and Bianca Nolde-Lopez took sixth with a time of 3:49.68.
“I am very proud of the team after this weekend! We hit our goals for A-10’s, left with four school records and have a lot to build on for the future!”
Davidson next will send a select group of competitors to the VCU Ram Invitational Sunday, May 12.
Be sure to follow the Wildcat cross country and track and field teams on Twitter and Instagram!