University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
Valentine Invitational
Belot Leads Huskies in Final American Athletic Conference Preparation
2/13/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track and Field
Individual Results
BOSTON - In its final competition before the 2015 indoor American Athletic Conference championship, the University of Connecticut women's track and field turned in a solid showing at the David Hemery Valentine Invitational, hosted by Boston University, on Friday.
Odrine Belot delivered the afternoon's most impressive performance, notching a new career-best in the triple jump (13.03m) and moving into eighth on the NCAA Division I Qualifying List. The result also stands at No. 1 in the American Athletic Conference.
Junior Emily Howard, who was honored earlier this week for achieving a perfect 4.0 GPA last semester, took 18th in the 800m run, crossing the line in 2:11.19, which marked a career-best and the sixth-fastest time in The American this season.
Senior tri-captain Saija Bikanova picked up a top-10 finish in the 60m hurdles, finishing eighth in the event with an 8.84 time. Sophomore sprinter Taylor Anderson shined in the 60m dash, taking fifth with a 7.61 second result.
The Huskies took two of the top three spots in the 400m dash, led by an excellent 54.61 time by Deysha Smith-Jenkins en route to a second-place finish overall. The showing moved her into third on The American's indoor season performance list and set a new personal record, while teammate Nyanka Joseph checked in right behind, claiming third with a career-best 54.70.
The Huskies continued to excel in the 500m run, grabbing two top-10 finishes, including a personal-best fifth-place result by Kat Vodopia (1:14.19) and a ninth-place personal best finish from Katie Foley (1:14.39).
Another career-best came from junior Laura Williamson who earned 13th in the mile run with a 4:49.36 time. In the same event, Terra Briody (4:58.74), Alana Pearl (5:01.27), Abby Mace (5:01.59) and Liz Lagoy (5:08.91) all set personal bests.
Smith-Jenkins nearly matched her season-best when she came in 16th in the 200m dash, putting together a 24.33 second result.
Sarah Bowens put together a season-best performance in the long jump, claiming second-place overall with a 5.85m leap. Bikanova placed in the top-10 again in the shot put (12.87m), finishing four spots ahead of Tara Belinsky (12.72m), who placed 11th and seven spots ahead of Kelly Myers (12.28m). The Husky tri-captain capped off her impressive afternoon with a third-place finish in the high jump, checking in at 1.70m.
Megan Reese set a new personal best in the pole vault, leaping 3.60m. Megan Chapman also set a new season-high mark in the weight throw, tossing 15.74m en route to a 12th-place finish.
"This was a great meet with lots of personal and season bests," said associate head coach Clive Terrelonge. "The ladies put forth tremendous efforts in their events and it was exactly what the coaching staff is looking for as we head toward the conference meet."
To view complete individual results, please CLICK HERE.
The Huskies will enjoy a 14-day break before heading back to The Armory in New York City for the second-ever indoor American Athletic Conference championship.
