Record setting performances in the throwing events, in addition to several lifetime best marks across the board, topped off a strong weekend of competition for the Terrapin squad.
At the UVA Challenge, seniors Claudia Ababio and Emma O'Hara were an unstoppable duo with both women surpassing the current school record throughout their throwing progression in the Hammer. Ababio launched the Hammer 203'3” (61.95m) to take the honors of school record holder with a significant lifetime best performance. O'Hara furthered her lifetime best performance and is now ranked #2 all time with a throw of 200'9” (61.19m). Following this lead, Greg Thompson claimed victory in the men's invitational discus competition amongst an elite field. Thompson threw 199'6” (60.81m) to improve on his lifetime best and school record in this event.
Freshman, Xahria Santiago claimed a season best performance in the 400 hurdles that ranks among the best in current rankings. Santiago ran 57.74 to claim the victory in this event by almost a full second. In the short hurdles, the Maryland squad put together some strong sprints. Nadia Hackett ran the 100 hurdles in 14.38, with Jewel Smith running 14.45, and Thaila Cooper finishing in 14.50. Diego Lyon ran 14.65 in the men's 110m hurdles to finish in the top 6 in the field.
In the women's long jump, senior Kayla Richardson set a new lifetime best with a big jump on her last attempt. Richardson leaped to a distance of 20'3.50” (6.18m) for the victory in the competition. Jewel Smith finished 3rd with a jump of 19'11 ¾” (6.09m).
In the men's triple jump, Carlos Vanzego placed 2nd with a jump of 48'4” (14.73m). Leah Blackall placed 8th in the women's triple jump with a mark of 39' ¼” (11.89m).
Peyton Wade set a new lifetime best mark in the multi competition, completing the Heptathlon in 2nd place with a score of 5379 points. Wade shined across the seven event competition achieving the following marks: 100 hurdles (14.55), High Jump (5'8”), Shot Put (10.47m), 200m (25.18), Long Jump (5.91m, 19'4 ¾”), Javelin (31.64m), and 800m (2:20.70). Dallyssa Huggins placed 4th in the Heptathlon with a score of 5180 after earning the following marks throughout the two-day competition: 100 hurdles (15.68), High Jump (5'8”), Shot Put (11.80m), 200m (26.67), Long Jump (17'3/4”), 800m (2:14.00).
Christine Laurie posted a new lifetime best in the 1500m during the main event of the UVA Challenge on Saturday evening. Laurie's time of 4:26.59 knocked 2 seconds off of the freshman's previous best mark.
Cheyenne Jones posted a new season best time in the 400m clocking a time of 55.44 to win her heat. Jai'lyn Merriweather ran 55.28 in the evening section of the 400m dash. Aaron Robinson and Alex Leto also finished strong in the men's 400m. Robinson ran 47.97 with Leto crossing the line by his side in 48.03. Kameron Jones posted a time of 48.11 in the evening section of the men's 400m.
In the women's 200m competition at UVA, Dai'lyn Merriweather sprinted to a finishing time of 24.77. Chandler Baxter and Deborah Olawuni both competed in this event at Princeton. Baxter ran 25.35 while Olawuni ran 25.46.
In the men's 800m at UVA, TJ Bleichner ran 1:53.19. Meanwhile, Hazem Miawad competed at Princeton and crossed the line in 1:54. For the women, Obichi Onwukwe ran a season best time of 2:16.11
At Princeton, Louis Corgliano ran 9:14.01 in the 3000m Steeplechase while teammate Aaron Barlev crossed the line in 9:20.24. In the 1500m competitions at Princeton, William Jones crossed the line in 4:02.23. Paige Novak set a new personal best in the women's 1500m with a time of 4:46.85.
Patrick Hanley competed in the men's 10k at UVA and crossed the line in 30:49.76 for a strong run. Freshman, Molly Barrick ran her first 10k race at Princeton and clocked a time of 37:37.24.
The 4x400m relay squads closed out competition with a season best time for both squads and a victory for the women. The men's team comprised of Aaron Robinson, Alex Leto, Kameron Jones, and TJ Bleichner finished in 3:12.07. The women's squad claimed the win with the team of Xahria Santiago, Dai'lyn Merriweather, Cheyenne Jones, and Jai'lyn Merriweather.
The Terps will head to the Penn Relays next week at Franklin Field to participate in this historic meet.
-Maryland-
