Mids Collect Three Titles, Finish Second at Patriot League Championship

Feb. 21, 2010

WEST POINT, N.Y. - - Indoor team captain Abby Gesecki (Sr., Nanticoke, Pa.) and Jess Palacio (So., Sun Valley, Nev.) were each crowned as individual champions, helping to lead the Navy women's track team to a runner-up finish at the Patriot League Indoor Championship on Sunday at Gillis Field House.

Bucknell topped the eight-team field to capture its eighth indoor conference title in the last nine seasons and 13th overall. The Bison posted 168 points, finishing ahead of the Mids' 96 points, followed by Lehigh (92), Holy Cross (80) and Army (79). Colgate (60), Lafayette (30) and American (15) completed the field.

With its second-place finish, Navy extends its impressive streak of consistency at the indoor conference meet, placing among the top-three schools for the 16th time in as many championship appearances.

"We're really proud of the girls," said Navy head coach Carla Criste, who earned Patriot League Indoor Coach of the Year honors for the second-straight year and third time in her career at Navy. "Jess Palacio was absolutely fabulous for us today in the mile, as well as in the 800 and we received another strong effort from Amanda Phelps in the shot put. It was a good meet for us all in all. We're shaping up really well for this weekend's meet with Army, which I expect will be another nailbiter."

Gesecki, who won the 400 at last spring's outdoor conference meet in West Point, collected her second career Patriot League title, winning the 500 in a time of 1:16.67. The Nanticoke, Pa. native then returned to run a leg along with Colleen McFadden (So., Ft. Washington, Md.), Mansfield Murph (So., Mechanicsville, Va.) and Arabia Littlejohn (Fr., Steubenville, Ohio) on the Midshipmen's winning 4x400 relay squad. The Navy foursome took first in a time of 3:55.73, finishing 0.28 seconds in front of runner-up Bucknell.

Palacio, meanwhile, had an outstanding afternoon of her own, winning the mile in 5:00.89 and taking second place in the 800 with a 2:16.56 clocking.

In the 400, it was Mansfield Murph earning Second-Team All-Patriot League honors for the second time in her collegiate career, finishing just off the winning pace in second with a time of 59.38 seconds.

Navy also received another standout performance from second-year thrower Amanda Phelps (So., Oceanside, Calif.), the runner-up in Saturday's weight throw championship. Phelps notched her second PR of the weekend, taking third place in the shot put with a career-best toss of 43'3" (13.18 meters).

The Midshipmen women will host Army in the annual Star Meet on Friday, Feb. 26, beginning at 2:30 pm at the Wesley A. Brown Field House.

2010 Patriot League Women's Indoor Track & Field ChampionshipsFinal Team Standings1. Bucknell 1682. Navy     963. Lehigh   924. Holy Cross   805. Army         796. Colgate  607. Lafayette    308. American 15
Navy HonoreesFirst-Team All-Patriot LeagueAbby Gesecki - 500 (1:16.67)Jess Palacio - Mile (5:00.89)4x400m relay - Gesecki, McFadden, Murph, Littlejohn (3:55.73)
Second-Team All-Patriot League Arian Davis - Pentathlon (3,326 pts.)Mansfield Murph - 400m (59.38)Jess Palacio - 800 (2:16.56)Amanda Phelps - 20 lb. weight throw (16.38 meters)Kristin Smith - High jump (1.65 meters)
### GO NAVY! ###