Midshipmen Top Field at Delaware Invitational

Jan. 10, 2009

NEWARK, Del. - The Navy women's track and field team opened the new year in impressive fashion as the Mids captured titles in five individual events en route to a first-place showing at Friday's Delaware Invitational.

Navy topped the seven-team field with 160.33 points, finishing 32 points ahead of meet runner-up Delaware State (128.33). The host Blue Hens and Monmouth took third- and fourth-place with 122 and 121.33 points, respectively, while St. Joseph's (49), Coppin State (35) and Villanova (2) rounded the invite field.

Junior standout Amy Watson (Hampstead, Md.) was once again a top performer for the Navy women. Watson captured the 3k race with a time of 10:14.63, finishing more than 26 seconds ahead of her closest competitor. Although the indoor season is still young, she now has a team-leading three event victories.

In the mile, the Midshipmen duo of sophomore Katie Rentz (San Diego, Calif.) and Maureen Dooley (Durham, Conn.) went 1-2. Rentz was the first across the finish with her time of 5:08.58, while Dooley came in just over a second back with a 5:09.81 clocking. Navy also took home top honors in the 1,000 as junior Kayla Sax (Richland, Wash.) turned in a winning time of 3:04.86.

For the second time in as many meets this season, Navy's talented Navy freshman class made its presence felt. First-year Mids Jess Palacio (Sun Valley, Nev.) and Ashley Aitken (Yuma, Ariz.) produced wins in the 800 (2:23.25) and 60-meter hurdles (9.23), respectively. Palacio captured the 800 event for a second-straight meet, while for Aitken it was her first collegiate victory.

Freshmen Christine Scales (Monte Sereno, Calif.) and Amanda Phelps (Oceanside, Calif.) also turned in strong efforts for Navy. Scales tied for second in the high jump (1.60m / 5'3") and was third in the pole vault (3.30m /10'10"), while Phelps earned runner-up honors in the weight throw (14.00m / 45'-11.25"). Junior Jessica Schlaegel (Nashport, Ohio) was the Mids' top performer in the pole vault, claiming runner-up honors with her 10'10" clearance.

Navy also produced a strong showing in the 500 where Abby Gesecki (Nanticoke, Pa.) finished only 0.13 seconds off the pace with a second-place time of 1:19.97 and freshman Mansfield Murph (Mechanicsville, Va.) took third in 1:20.34.

Navy will return to action on Saturday, Jan. 17, when it hosts James Madison, Mount St. Mary's, VCU, William & Mary, UNC-Wilmington and Ursinus at the Wesley A. Brown Field House. The meet is slated for a 3:00 pm start.

Delaware Invitational - January 9, 20091. Navy         160.332. Delaware State   128.333. Delaware     1224. Monmouth     121.335. St. Joseph's         496. Coppin State     357. Villanova        2

### Go NAVY! ###/i>

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