Track teams see different results

Women keep indoor momentum in Penn Invitrational at Franklin Field The Penn women's track team picked up right where it left off at the peak of the indoor season this weekend at the Penn Invitational. "The meet was excellent. We far surpassed our expectations," Penn assistant coach Tony Tenisci said. "We didn't think it would be this good and quality at this point". With eight schools competing, a Quaker finished in the top three in nine of the 19 events. Seniors Jenee Anzelone and co-captain Maggie Morrow and freshman Tiffany Archer won their events. Morrow, who competed in the 5,000 meters during the indoor season, made a smooth transition to the outdoor season with a victory in the 3,000 meters. She surpassed the second-place finisher, Jen Rafferty of St Joe's, by 14 seconds. Archer performed exactly the way she did throughout the indoor season by winning the high jump. She finished in a first-place tie with a jump of 5 feet, 6.5 inches. Tenisci was also impressed with Anzelone, who finished first in the 800 meters by 2.1 seconds. He thought her time was excellent for this point in the season. This success was achieved despite injuries to four key Quakers. Co-captain Monica McCullough, Jamila Northington, Jane Kim and Michelle Belsley all played crucial roles in Penn's indoor season but were unable to compete at the Penn Invitational. Tenisci expects Northington, Kim and Belsley to be back soon, possibly next weekend at the Colonial Relays. McCullough, who has a stress fracture, may have to miss two more meets. According to senior Bridget Ward, Penn had an advantage at its own meet. Since it was the first meet of the outdoor season, many schools had to make the transition to the different elements and the different track. Penn does not have an indoor track, and was forced to practice on the outdoor track the entire year. The same thing that plagued the Quakers during the indoor season is now showing benefits. Some of the new outdoor events also seem to be in Penn's favor. Senior Nicole Vadino finished in second place in the javelin with a throw of 39.86 feet. Sophomore Daria Smith narrowly missed a victory in the 100 high hurdles. She finished first in her preliminary heat with the same time as Princeton's Nicole Harrison, the winner of the other heat. In the finals however, Harrison edged out Smith 14.0 seconds to 14.4. Tenisci has found new optimism for the future of Penn's season. "We're excited that we started so much ahead than we did last year," Tenisci said. "Everybody has stepped up their ability levels a little bit more."