Penn Relay Carnival closes with record performances

W. TrackW. Trackuses RelaysW. Trackuses Relaysas HepsW. Trackuses Relaysas Hepstune-up When Penn coach Betty Costanza made the decision not to enter Penn junior Angie Jimenez in the heptathalon at last weekend's Penn Relays, it became clear that the Quakers were placing more emphasis on the Heptagonal Championships than the Relays. Although Penn didn't win an event against the nation's top-ranked track and field teams, the Quakers did gain experience that may lead the team to a Heps championship next weekend. Since the season opener at the Penn Invitational, the Quakers have dominated the field events. The freshman long-jump trio of Kim Mason, Aquiyla Mohammed and Lisa El have placed among the top finishers at each meet this season. "I thought that competing in the Penn Relays was a good opportunity for all of us," Mason said. On Thursday, the threesome competed against the No. 1 long jumpers in the East. Pittsburgh's Trecia Smith won the long jump, leaping an event-record 6.13 meters. The freshmen -- Mason, Mohammed and El -- all fared well against the more experienced competition, finishing eighth, ninth and 11th, respectively. "This meet I had problems hitting my mark," Mason said. "That's what I am going to work on a lot this week for Heps." Freshman shot putter Luana Botelho, like the long jumpers, has also made a name for herself as a rookie star at Penn. Botelho, who set the school shot-put record at the University of Pennsylvania Invitational on April 6, competed in the women's Eastern Shot Put championship. Botelho placed 14th with a throw of 11.90 meters. Mandy Bennett, another Quakers freshman, placed 21st with a 10.20-meter throw. "Before Heps, I'd like to work on the use of my legs," Bennett said. "I need to get more height on my throws." Penn juniors Erin Soley and Christi Strawley competed in the hammer throw. Soley threw for a solid 44.18 meters, earning her 20th place, just ahead of Cornell's Casey Cadile. Strawley finished 26th in the hammer with a 41.16-meter throw. Brown's Tammy Renda finished tops among Ivy League hammer throwers with a launch of 44.50 meters. In the javelin throw, Brown throwers again topped the Ivy field. Brown's Sandi Milberg placed eighth with a 40.96-meter throw and Jenni Bigback finished 18th with a 36.20-meter throw. Penn sophomore Christina Schelin's javelin landed a mere two centimeters behind Bigback's at 36.18 meters. On Saturday, the championship heats were held in front of 45,419 fans. Although the Quakers did not qualify for the finals of any event, the Ivy League was well represented. Princeton's Nicole Harrison was the lone Ivy League hurdler to qualify after finishing third in her heat on Thursday. The Cornell 4x800 relay team of Jessica Shaw, Becky Dennison, Aruna Boppana and Kristin Davis also advanced to the finals and placed seventh in the nine-team championship field. The Penn Relays was the final meet for the Ivy teams until Heps. "Competing in a big meet always helps to prepare you mentally," Bennett said. "It helps you deal with pressure better. The Heps are going to be tough, but I think now we have a really good shot."

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.