Women’s Track and Field Races at George Mason Patriot Games

LaRoche, Harris and DMR Qualify for ECACs

01/31/04 10:11PM

FAIRFAX, VA - Four events wins and three ECAC qualifications highlighted three-time defending CAA Champion William and Mary women's track and field's performance Saturday at George Mason's Patriot Games. Senior Charlotte LaRoche (Centreville, VA), junior Ayanna Jones (Richmond, VA), freshman Julia Cathcart (Starkville, MS) and the distance medley relay team all captured victories in the meet which featured several area teams including Maryland, George Mason, Norfolk State, East Carolina and Morgan State. The Patriot Games did not feature team scoring.

La Roche won the pole vault for her third straight meet, with an ECAC qualifying height of 12'1.5". Junior Cassidy Harris (Geneva, IL) also qualified for ECACs in the shot by throwing for a second-place distance of 46'4.75" while Jones took third in the event by throwing for 44'5.25", 2 inches shy of the ECAC qualifying mark. Jones also claimed the win in the weight throw, with a distance of 49'9.75", while Harris took third in the event with a throw of 45'9.75".

The distance medley relay team of freshman Meghan Bishop (Blue Bell, PA), junior Naomi Mattos (Woodbridge, VA), senior Emily Halm (Massillon, OH) and three-time All-American Ali Henderson (Parkville, MO) qualified for ECACs in their victory, breaking the standard by 15 seconds with a time of 11:52.36.

The Green and Gold also had a strong showing in the 3,000m where freshman Julia Cathcart (Starkville, MS) claimed the win, clocking a 10:14.10. Senior Maura McMahon (Westfield, NJ) raced to second while sophomore Karen Pulliam (North Potomac, MD) took third in the event.

Bonnie Meekins (Herndon, VA) had a solid showing in the high jump with a height of 5"2.25". Freshman Brenna Blevins (Pulaski, VA) placed fourth in the event, clearing 5'0.5".

W&M is back in action next weekend with split squads, with some runners competing Saturday, February 7th, at the UNC Carolina Classic while others will stay closer to home to compete in the CNU Winter Frolic in Newport News, VA on Sunday, February 8th.