Throwers, jumpers lead W. Track to win

Penn coach Betty Costanza and Princeton coach Peter Farrell were hired to coach their respective school's women's track and field programs 19 years ago. The two coaches have a great respect for -- if not fear of -- their Ivy League rival's talent. "Each Betty and Peter insist they are the underdog against each other," Yale coach Mark Young said Thursday. Much like during the indoor Heptagonal Championships, Costanza was unwilling to regard Penn as a favorite. And although Costanza may be among the Ivy League's finest track and field coaches, she once again shows her ineptness as a swami. In the strong winds of Yale's Cuyler Field, the Quakers dominated Saturday's tri-meet with the Tigers and Elis, finishing with more team points than Princeton and Yale combined. By dominating the field events and winning the 4x100 relay, the Red and Blue finished with 92 team points. The Tigers were a distant second place with 70 points, and Yale was light-years behind with just 19. "It was a fantastic day for the throwers. Each one won their particular event," Quakers assistant coach Tony Tenisci said. Led by freshman Luana Botelho, Penn finished one-two-three-four in the shot put. Botelho rebounded from a lackluster performance a week ago to throw 11.67 meters and showed the Tigers and Elis why she is the Quakers' shot put record holder. Penn freshman Mandy Bennett finished in second place behind Botelho, with a throw 10.97 meters. Quakers juniors Angie Jimenez and Erin Soley finished in third and fourth place. "It is rare that a freshman gives an immediate impact," Tenisci said. "[Botelho] is a great competitor. She's great under pressure and a part of the momentum bringing the team together." The Quakers also earned the top three scores in the javelin. Freshman Sherry Cheng won the event with a 33.98 meter launch. Penn sophomore Christina Schelin and Jimenez placed second and third. In the hammer throw, the Penn junior tandem of Erin Soley and Christi Strawley threw for first and second place. Freshman Mandy Bennett won the discus throw for the first time in her career to round out the Quakers' sweep of the throwing events. The rookie Quaker threw 39.10 meters despite strong winds in her face. In the triple jump, Penn freshman Lisa El outjumped her competition by a good .19 meters, finishing in first place and maintaining her season-long domination of the event. In the closest event of the meet, El also won the long jump with a leap of 5.52 meters. Penn freshman Kimberly Mason finished less than a nail's length behind at 5.52 meters. After the Quakers' domination on Saturday, it would be hard for anybody, even Costanza, to refer to the Quakers underdogs in the Ivy League.