Volume CXXXIII, Number 15 February 8, 2002 f

Women's track beats USCGA
GRACE CHO
STAFF WRITER

What do weights, hurdles, measuring tape, and spikes all have in common? The Bowdoin Women's Track and Field team is what they all share. Over the past weekend the Lady Polar Bears displayed a strong showing at the Farley Field House against the Coast Guard.

Jane Cullina '04 and Molly Juhlin '05 finish strong. (Karsten Moran, Bowdoin Orient)

Several women won their individual events, qualified for upcoming championship meets, and set some personal records. Two throwers, Caitlin Fowkes '03 and Letitia Pierre'05 surprised themselves by throwing personal records in the 20-pound weight throw, taking second and fifth place.

Some winning individuals were Ariele Hanek '03 (5000m), Ellen Beth '05 (1000m), Kala Hardacker'04 (800m), Audra Caler '05 (1500m), Casey Kelley '02 (triple jump) and Delia Van Loenen '02 (high jump). Van Loenen coming back to the scene with a vengeance after injuries, cleared 5 feet 2 inches using her signature "worm" technique for the win.

Coach Slovenski is content with the outstanding showing over the weekend and hopes to field a full team at the competitive meets post season. "The team did a lot to improve our position for the post season championships," said Coach Slovenski. "We qualified a lot of people for the New England and ECAC meets where we hope to be among the top 5 -8 teams.

Together the women are looking to break qualifying barriers for championship meets, but along the way a few school records also.

Highlighting the meet performances was senior Casey Kelley who broke the indoor triple jump school record. Jumping 36'5"inches, she broke the former record of 36'2" held by teammate Karen Yeoman '02. Yeoman was the first to congratulate Kelly when it was determined. A friend and competitor of Kelley's, Yeoman was happy to see Kelley jump well.

Upcoming for the women are the Maine State meet, Division III Track and Field Championships, and Open New England Championships. The Lady Polar Bears look to make a strong showing at all three meets, but especially at the State Meet against rivals Colby, Bates, and USM. Senior captain Casey Kelley believes, "we have the talent and desire to bring home a victory." Also another senior captain Kate Waller adds about the State Meet, "This meet is the climax of the season, since it is the last meet that includes the whole team. We always have the gutsiest performances at this meet."

The Bowdoin Women's Track and Field Team has had four wins this season.