Palacio's Mile PR Paces Women's Track

Feb. 12, 2010

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Navy sophomore Jess Palacio set a new Wesley A. Brown Field House record in the mile with a winning time of 4:59.53, highlighting the women's track team's efforts at the Sweetheart Multi-Mix meet on Thursday evening.

Palacio paced the field in the mile by a healthy margin (12.10 seconds) and shaved nearly a full 15 seconds off her previous personal-best in the event (5:14.50). Her time eclipsed the existing Field House standard of 5:02.07 set by Bucknell's Stephanie Fulmer in her mile victory at last year's Patriot League Championship meet.

It also stands as the second-fastest time among conference milers heading into the weekend. The talented sophomore Palacio also entered the week as the conference's top performer in the 800 (2:14.41).

Other highlights saw sophomore Amanda Phelps improving upon her ECAC-qualifying standard with her second victory of the year in the 20-pound weight throw. Phelps delivered a Navy sophomore-record toss of 53'3" (16.23 meters), improving up her previous top mark of 52' 7Â½" (16.04 meters).

The effort ranks 10th all-time on Navy's weight throw ledger. The Oceanside, Calif. native now stands as the fourth-best weight thrower in school history, behind former standouts Jen Leatherman, Sonja Washington ('95) and Cayanne McFarlane ('06).

An eclectic field in sprint medley relay (200, 200, 400, 800), which included a relay team comprised of Navy's throwers, as well as squads representing the Academy's women's soccer and volleyball teams, also produced some excitement. The team of Jessica Ridgway, Colleen McFadden, Arabia Littlejohn and Mansfield Murph took first in the event in 4:14.87.

Navy begins its championship schedule with the Patriot League Track & Field Championships next weekend, Feb. 19-21 at Army's Gills Field House. The Mids will then return to Annapolis to host the Black Knights in the annual Army-Navy dual on Friday, Feb. 26, beginning at 5:30 pm. A full schedule of events for Navy's remaining home meets can be found here: 2009-10 Home Meet Schedule.

## GO NAVY! ##