JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Molly Mangan (400m) and Renny Murphy (javelin) of the Navy women's track and field team competed during day two of the NCAA East Preliminaries on Thursday in Jacksonville, Fla.
 
Mangan capped off her historic career with the sixth-fastest 400m time in Navy history at 54.33. She finished in seventh place in her heat and placed 34th overall. The Pittsburgh, Pa., native ends her career with seven of the 10 best outdoor 400m times in program history which includes the school record that she set in March (53.70).
 
"Both Molly (Mangan) and Renny (Murphy) competed hard today. Both athletes finished higher than what they were seeded at which was great to see," said Director of Track and Field / Cross Country Jamie Cook. "There was a strong wind today, but Molly still ran a really good race. Looking forward to day three with Joshua Boamah in the discus, Brett Brady and Tom Fodor in the 3,000m steeplechase and Nathan Kent in the 400m quarterfinals and the 4x400m team."
 
Along with competing in her final race at Navy, Mangan was announced as the recipient of the Vice Admiral Lawrence Sword for Women by the Naval Academy Athletic Association on Thursday. The sword is presented to that woman of the graduating class who is considered by the Association's Athletic Council to have personally excelled in women's athletics during her years of varsity competition.
 
Fans can read the full release HERE.
 
"Watching Molly's final race, there were a lot of mixed emotions. She's one of the most storied track and field athletes at the Naval Academy. I'm definitely upset to see it end," said Cook. "She always did a great job of preparing and going out to compete every single day. She has ran in a lot of races this year and for her to be as close as she was to her personal record was very impressive. I'm very proud of the way she has always led the team and led by example. Nothing but great things to say about her as a competitor, leader and as a person.
 
"She left the Navy track and field program in a better place than when she came in because of her effort and attitude. She has left a lasting impact on her preparation and ability to be such a great teammate. Enough people have been around her now to know what the expectations are going forward. She has been a coach on the track and someone who loves the process. She understood that things are hard, but also understood that working hard will help in your pursuit of becoming better than what you already are."
 
Murphy placed 29th in the javelin with a distance of 44.30m (145' 4"). The sophomore recorded the eighth-best distance in her section and finished with the second-best throw amongst the four athletes from the Patriot League in the event.
 
"Renny (Murphy) is already doing a lot of great things and she's only going to continue to get better. Her and coach (Chris) Campbell do a great job looking at how to improve and what things to work on," said Cook. She is a great teammate and continues to work on her craft every single day. I think she's more than capable of reaching another level and I expect nothing but great things to come for her over the next year."
 
The men's track and field team will be back in action tomorrow for day three of the East Preliminaries at 1 p.m. with Joshua Boamah in the discus. Brett Brady and Tom Fodor both compete in the 3,000m steeplechase at 5:40 p.m. Nathan Kent takes part in the 400m quarterfinal at 6:50 p.m. The 4x400m relay team of Kent, Pete deJonge, Jay Evans and Jacques Guillaume conclude the day for the Mids at 8:45 p.m. Fans can watch the 3,000m steeplechase, 400m and 4x400m relay races on ESPN+.