W. Track captures 13 personal bests

The Penn women's track team rose to the tough competition at the Penn State Nationals last weekend, coming through with 13 personal records.

"The competition was at such a high level that I felt that we held our own and put in a good effort," said freshman Anna-Marie Allander, who finished with a time of 2.19.58 in the 800 meters.

Personal records were set in almost every event.

Penn sophomore Erin Okawa finished a personal best 18:18.38 in the 5000 meters. Sophomore Elaina Lord and freshman Claire Duncan ran the 3000 meters in two personal records of 10:15.86 and 10:35.51, respectively.

"It's [Lord's] first year running," Penn coach Tony Tenisci said. "It's great to see her improving."

The 4x400 meter relay team also set a team personal record of 3:57.98.

"This was really great for the 4X400 to set a record being that they were really tired at the end of the two-day meet," Tenisci said.

Despite setting a plethora of personal records, the Quakers did not finish higher than tenth in any event except for the high jump, in which Penn sophomore Grace Maloney placed seventh.

Coach Tenisci was nevertheless more than pleased with his team's showing.

"Penn State had something like 75 people, and we brought only 20," Tenisci said. "Don't let the placing give you a false idea of what happened. We did really well."

The team's pervasive personal records will serve as a springboard for the remainder of the season, particularly this coming weekend's meet at Penn State against the Red and Blue's arch rival, Princeton.

The Quakers will use this weekend's experience on Penn State's banked track against the Tigers as they compete again in Happy Valley this weekend for the Penn State Collegiate.

"The banked track is a lot faster and a lot quicker than the flat track," Tenisci said. "We'll be considerably one-to-two seconds faster per event."

As Penn's indoor season nears its close, the girls feel confident about the few meets that await them.

"People are just stepping up," Cofie said. "We're getting closer to the end of the indoor season.

"There's not very much time till the Heptagonal Championships so we have to go out there and run harder."

But before moving onto the Heps, the Quakers have to handle the Tigers and the Nittany Lions next weekend.

"I think we can definitely beat them. If everyone gives it their all I think we can definitely beat them," Marsh said.

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