W. Track throwers will be key

The Penn women's track team will try to throw its way to victory against Princeton and Yale on Saturday at Franklin Field. When the Elis and Tigers come to battle Penn this weekend, the throwers will be the key to the Quakers' chances for victory against their Ivy League rivals, according to assistant Coach Tony Tenisci. Unfortunately, Penn finds itself at a disadvantage even before the Ivy season begins. Senior captain Luana Botelho, one of the Quakers' most reliable throwers and a team leader, is just coming back from a broken finger on her right hand -- her throwing hand. Her ability to perform effectively in both the shot put and discus will be hindered by her injury. Last weekend at the University of Pennsylvania Invitational, Botelho attempted to compete in the discus and the shot put. Her injury clearly affected her performance, however, as she scratched in the discus. According to senior Mandy Bennett, Botelho is throwing well off her average. The injury was less of a factor in the shot put for Botelho, as she managed to throw 42 feet -- good enough to secure second place. Botelho is joined on the list of injured Quakers by senior sprinter Shana McDonald-Black and freshman distance runner Jeraldine Cofie, both of whom are battling hamstring problems. All three Quakers are expected to compete but their injuries may play a significant factor when it comes time to tally the final score. With three such evenly matched teams going head-to-head, every point will count. "I think that it is going to be a very interesting meet. This is the first real test for anyone as far as the Ivy League is concerned," Bennett said. "I don't know if any one team has the edge. We have some important people battling injuries, and that will throw off our expectations a little. I do think that it's going to be a definite struggle. It's not going to be an easy victory for any one team." With Botelho injured, Bennett -- a shot put, hammer throw and discus participant -- and sophomore Amy Nichols, who competes in the discus and hammer throw, are two athletes the Quakers are counting on to score some extra points. Bennett and Nichols are still trying to find their rhythm during this short outdoor season. These two Quakers, however, are optimistic about their chances this weekend and both of them are confident that it will be a big breakthrough meet for their throwing. "It's a work in progress," said Nichols, who has yet to set a personal record in the discus throw this season. "You have to find yourself in a groove, relax and do what you can do. I'm looking to [PR] soon." Nichols feels that this meet will act as a gauge for her throwing. Bennett is equally confident but she has a bit more to overcome as she has been struggling with her throwing recently -- finishing fourth, fifth and sixth last weekend in the shot put, discus and hammer throw, respectively. "I'm expecting to break out of this slump that I've been in as far as shot put and hammer throw are concerned. It's just one of those things that sort of happens," Bennett said. "My coach and I have been working on a lot of different drills and I had a really solid week of practice. We have been doing a lot of drill work as opposed to full throwing. I'm confident that I can break through this weekend." It will take more than just a solid effort from the throwers if Penn hopes to walk off the track victorious. The team will need a repeat of last weekend's solid performances by senior captain Rita Garber and sophomore Ja Juan Gair to carry over into this weekend. Both Quakers set multiple personal records during the U. of P. Invitational. "I don't think there can be any weak part of this program. Each school offsets one another in this meet," Tenisci said. "There really isn't a weak link. Everyone has to be ready to step up on Saturday. There is just such good competition." Just in case the opening of the Ivy League season is not enough for Penn, the added incentive of facing archrival Princeton may be just what the Quakers need to throw a few extra feet, run a few seconds faster and propel themselves to the front of the pack.