Continuing a spotless season, the women's track team upheld its undefeated streak by decisively winning the Maine State Championship last Friday evening at Bates College.
The Bears, who won the meet with 220 points to Bates' 146, Colby's 119, and USM's 87, have had their sights set on reclaiming the state title since their third-place finish at the 2008 championship.
"Winning the State meet was such a rewarding and proud moment for the team, the seniors especially," said captain Alison Chase '09. "After a somewhat disappointing third place last year, it was so exciting and fun to come back this year and win solidly."
It was the senior throwers who led off the evening's victories, with captain Kelsey Borner '09 and Shemeica Binn '09 taking third and seventh, respectively, in the weight throw, and then third and second in the shot put.
"[They] got us off to a great start," said Coach Peter Slovenski. "Kelsey and Shemeica prepare well, and then compete with a lot of poise and intelligence. They are getting better each week."
Strategic racing was the Bears' key to success this past weekend, with many athletes doubling and tripling events, starting cautiously, and then moving ahead, finishing higher than their seeded finishes.
Elsa Millett '12 continued her stellar season this winter by picking up two first-place finishes for the team, in the 200 and 400-meter dashes. Other wins of the day included Christina Argueta '11 in the 5,000-meter run, whose intelligent opening mile gave her a strong, decisive victory at the end of the race. Laura Peterson '12 also won the long jump, Annie Monjar '09 took first in the 3,000-meter run, and the 4 x 800-meter team finished the day's events with a win.
Earlier in the meet, Emily Barr '12 and Molly Seaward '09 picked up points in the 55-meter dash with second and fifth place finishes, while Meagan Tilton '11 and Alexa Staley '11 took second and third in the 55-meter hurdles.
Continuing to prove their depth each week, the team's middle-distance runners garnered points for the Bears. Runners swept up points in the 600-meter run, where Ali Chase' 09 took second, Grace Kerr '11 finished third, and Alex Peacock-Villada '11 took fourth. In the 800-meter run, Jessica Sokolow '09, Molly Duffy '11, and Dana Riker '10 also took second, third, and fourth places, respectively, followed closely by Caroline Tory '12 in 6th, and Kathryn Deneroff '12 in seventh.
"The 800 was our strongest event of the day," Slovenski said. "We took six of the top eight places in that race."
Today and tomorrow, Bowdoin will have the chance to test its abilities in one of the strongest fields of competition it will see all season: the 2009 Boston University Valentine's Day Invitational, which attracts top Division III, Division I, and professional athletes each year. The track is "banked," that is, sloped upward from the inside lane to minimize the impact of short, tight turns.
"The BU meet always fosters an exciting atmosphere," said captain Kelsey Borner '09. "Even though we're competing against many Division I schools and phenomenal athletes, it's a really great opportunity to learn from them."