W. Track falls to Princeton in a heated pre-Heptagonals meet

Several Quakers qualified for the ECAC Championships and set personal records in the seven-point loss to the Tigers. Although the Penn women's track team lost this weekend to Princeton by a score of 551/3-622/3, several Quakers set personal records and qualified for the ECAC Championships, to be held on March 1 and 2. Second only to Heptagonals, the dual meet with the Tigers traditionally has been one of the Quakers' biggest and most competitive meets of the indoor season. Last year, they lost to Princeton by just 10 points. This year, that margin was reduced, which is a positive sign for the upcoming Heps meet. "We knew it was going to be tough going in," Penn junior high jumper Satsuki Mitchell said. "They have a lot of good athletes, and it's always been a good meet." Mitchell was one of the four Quakers who qualified at Jadwin Gymnasium this weekend for the ECACs. Also, senior Erin Soley, junior Melanie Cafe, and junior Jen Roy qualified in the 20-pound weight throw, the 800-meter run, and the 400-meter run, respectively. Roy also finished second in the 200-meter run and helped the team of Vicki Moore, April Edlow and Kelly King record a personal-best time in the 1600-meter relay. Other notable Quakers performances were by first-place finishers Aqiyla Muhammed in the long jump, Ruth Neuhaus in the triple jump event, and Yvanna Botelho in the shotput. Muhammed also placed second in the triple jump. Junior Dawn McGee placed second in the 55-meter hurdles, while also tying for second in the 55-meter dash with Quakers freshman Christyna Faulkner. In both the 20-pound weight throw and shotput events, Penn swept first through fourth places. "Overall, our coach was pleased with our performance," Mitchell said. "It was a good meet for all of us. We really came together and worked as a team." Penn assistant coach Tony Tenisci was indeed content with his team's performance. "The kids really rose to the occasion," Tenisci said. "A couple events didn't move our way, but, overall, it was an outstanding meet." This weekend's meet was the last dual meet for the Quakers this season. Penn will see the Tigers again at Heptagonals on February 22. Although Princeton's squad looks like it could be the strongest in the conference this season, the Quakers hope that the other competitors in the meet will help spread the point distribution, so that they can retain their title as Indoor Heps champions. This weekend the Quakers will travel to Bucknell for another invitational meet, where they will concentrate on recording good seed times for Heps. "Now that we have some competition under our belts, it's time to focus on getting sharp performances," Tenisci said.