May 17, 2008

PRINCETON, N.J. - Navy women's track & field pole vaulter Jacqui Charnigo (Sr./Medina, Ohio) placed second in the event to highlight the team's performance at the ECAC Championship this Friday and Saturday.

Charnigo soared over the bar set at 12'7-1/2" (3.85 meters) on Saturday, matching Rita Ciambria's height from New Hampshire. However, Charnigo required fewer tries and earned second-place points by virtue of the tie break. The performance also qualified her for the NCAA East Region Championship.

Two other Midshipmen competed on the track on Friday. Amy Watson (So./Hampstead, Md.) produced a career-best time in the 10,000-meter run, crossing the finish line in 37:18.05 for 13th place. Classmate Erica Ziel (So./Saginaw, Mich.) placed 15th in the 5,000-meter run with a 17:27.18 clocking.

Charnigo will represent Navy at the NCAA East Region Championship on May 30-31 down in Tallahassee, Fla. Qualifiers from that meet will advance to the NCAA Championship in Des Moines, Iowa, on June 11-14.