Women's Track: WVU Finishes Fifth

By Kelly Tuckwiller for WVUsports.com
February 20, 2011 04:28 PM

Chelsea Carrier

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University track and field team completed the BIG EAST Indoor Championships with a fifth-place overall finish and three conference titles, while senior Chelsea Carrier was named the meet’s Most Outstanding Field Athlete.

“It was another well-rounded effort by this team, with our ladies scoring in the field, in the sprints and in the distance races,” coach Sean Cleary says. “Although we will never be ecstatic with fifth place, we are pleased leaving this meet.

“Coming into the winter, we had projected numerous national-class athletes to contribute to our team totals. It is a testament to the hard work that our coaching staff and student-athletes have displayed.”

The Mountaineers finished fifth with 66 points, while Louisville finished first with 110 points followed by Connecticut in second (108.5), Villanova in third (86) and Georgetown in fourth (80).

Carrier earned her second title of the weekend in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.17, marking the first time someone has won back-to-back titles in the event since Villanova’s Charmaine Walker in 2000-2001. Chené Townsend also raced well, placing fourth with a time of 8.56.

“After her Herculean effort yesterday, Chelsea Carrier came into the building to run the second-fastest hurdles race of her life,” Cleary says. “She proved she is one of the finest student-athletes in the entire BIG EAST.”

Junior Jessica O'Connell also earned a conference title with a first-place finish in the 3,000-meter run, finishing with a time of 9:21.09, while junior Kaylyn Christopher placed fifth (9:27.16). The win marks the first BIG EAST title of O’Connell’s career.

“Jessica went to bed very disappointed with her mile anchor in the distance medley relay,” Cleary says. “However, I am very proud that she awoke and allowed her true shape to surface today.”

Keri Bland had a good showing this afternoon with a third place showing in the 800-meter run. The Fairview, W.Va. native finished with a time of 2:08.89.

In the mile run finals, sophomore Aubrey Moskal led the way finishing in ninth place (5:02.45), while freshman Sarah Martinelli placed 10th with a time of 5:03.31.

In the field events, sophomore Sydney Cummings finished seventh (1.70 meters), while freshman Kaitlyn Shelar tied for 11th(3.55 meters) and junior Lindsey Kopenhaver placed 16th (3.40 meters)

The Mountaineers will have a week of rest before heading to the Columbia Last Chance Meet on March 4-5.

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