The independent student newspaper of Northeastern University

The Huntington News

The independent student newspaper of Northeastern University

The Huntington News

The independent student newspaper of Northeastern University

The Huntington News

Women’s Track ‘ Field: Weather halts runners at UConn Invitational

By Nate Owen

Bad weather in Conn. forced many women’s track runners out of competition to avoid injury.

The women’s track team competed at two meets this weekend, the UConn Invitational at the University of Connecticut and the Clyde Littlefield Relays in Austin, Texas.

“It was kind of a blown weekend,” coach Sherman Hart said. “We pulled a lot of people out of Connecticut.”

Hart said he told his assistants, “Just bring me back a team in one piece.” He stressed the mile and 800-meter runners would be key players down the road and they needed to stay in top shape.

Despite the poor weather, several athletes did compete in the meet. Freshman Olivia Kalinowska and senior Laura Chmielewski finished first and second in the pole vault, with heights of 12 feet, 1.5 inches and 11 feet, 11.75 inches, respectively.

Sophomore Alice Rybalko finished third in the long jump with a leap of 17 feet, 6.75 inches. Senior Krystina Valdes took 10th in the shot put with a throw of 35 feet, 6 inches.

Despite pulling many athletes out of the running because of the poor weather, the Huskies still managed to finish sixth out of the nine teams at the meet.

In Texas, junior thrower Zara Northover and senior sprinter Jordine Kimbrel were the only competing. Northover finished seventh in the shot put with a throw of 51 feet, 9.25 inches. Kimbrel competed in the 100-meter dash and took 24th out of 76 runners, finishing with at time of 11.85 seconds.

“Each week we are getting closer and better,” he said. “The key group is the middle distance [runners]. Next week, we’ll see how well they are running.”

Hart is looking forward to the Huskies next meet, which will be held April 15 at Solomon Track in Dedham.

“Zara and a few others will do some new events,” Hart said. “[We’re] going to try some new things.

However, Hart recognized the Huskies needed good weather next week to be successful.

“Maybe Mother Nature will do us a favor next week,” he said.

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