W. Track excels at Quaker Invite

Hours to stretch, rehearse the motions and mentally prepare. Minutes to compete. Days to reflect. And so is the life of the Penn women's track team as its outdoor season gets under way. Saturday's Quaker Invitational gave Penn its first chance to test its strengths and weaknesses, as well as its ability to prepare mentally and respond physically. And after having success in both of the above, the Quakers have a chance to relax knowing they performed well, but continue to work towards better times, higher jumps and farther throws. Although the team rankings within the 10-team field went unrecorded, Penn's individual accomplishments are testament to a probable excellent finish. "We had a really good meet, especially after last weekend's disappointing one," senior co-captain Karyn Smith said. "The coaches were definitely pleased and I'm proud of the team." Smith put together quite a showing to help the Quakers. A long jump of 18 feet, 6 inches, and a triple-jump of 39-6 both earned her first-place finishes. Freshman teammate Daria Smith, recovering from a hamstring injury suffered earlier in the year, shot out of the blocks in the 100-meter hurdles to a 14.38 second finish, fast enough for second place. Surprisingly, Smith had only taken three hurdles before the meet and the previous day was her first in getting back to the blocks. Though injured, her time cleared that of her first meet of her senior year in high school. "It was a test to see if I could still do it, to build confidence," Smith said. "I knocked over the first hurdle but the last five were good. It's a good beginning considering my predicament." Other victories for the Quakers included junior Nicole Maloy's high jump, at 5-6, and junior Jenee Anzelone with a first in the 800 meter. Both Kelly King and sophomore Jamila Northington won their heats in the 400 and 100, respectively. And seeing some of her first outdoor action as a Quaker, freshman Erin Soley posted a personal record in the hammer throw. Records such as this and consistently low finishes were key to the positive day. Other help came in the form of spectacular weather. With day-in and day-out training in what has been less-than-spectacular weather this winter, the conditions Saturday were unusually perfect, and the team truly appreciated it. "We train all year round. People get really tired. Finally the weather was looking up on us," Karyn Smith said. "It is also nice to have all of the people in the stands. The team was just in good spirits." Performing well against such powerhouses as Penn State, a traditionally strong team, and Temple, which boasts many fine sprinters, Penn has a great deal to look forward to the rest of the season. "Everyone got back into form and that will probably improve throughout the season," freshman Angie Jimenez said. "We did well overall. I was satisfied." Jimenez, a multi-event competitor, competing in the shot put, high jump, 100 hurdles and 200 Saturday, didn't have a spectacular day personally. But she felt the solid team effort was more important. The Quakers next see action this weekend at the Penn Invitational Saturday. It's the Quakers' last home meet before the Penn Relays. Performing well at one instance is cause for celebration, but consistency is the sign of a winning team. If the Quakers can repeat their success and possibly better it, they will have started to prove they can steadily perform, ranking with the fastest, highest and farthest in the East.