TUSCALOOSA, Ala. and CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- The Yale women's track and field team started off the weekend of competition strong with stellar performances in the south. The day was highlighted by another school record-setting performance by senior star Kayley DeLay in the 3000m steeplechase at the Virginia Challenge. DeLay crossed the finish line in 9:44.71, nearly 20 seconds faster than second place. This is the latest in a series of impressive times for her. Over last spring and summer, DeLay competed as an unattached athlete in races all over the country and ran 9:58.87 at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for the 3000m steeplechase. She also produced a performance of 9:40.81 at a competition in New York. DeLay was prepared to leave her mark in Virginia today, and she definitely accomplished her goal.
Also in Charlottesville, Bulldogs competed in the 400m, 1500m and 5k events. In the 400m, junior Samantha Friborg placed 37th (56.68) to edge out Princeton's India Ingemi by .01 second. This time is a personal best for Friborg by 2.6 seconds. Not far behind her was first year Iris Bergman, who ran 58.35. In the 1500m, senior Jocelyn Chau produced a season best of 4:26.90 to take 15th in the competition. Sophomore Kyra Pretre and senior Kosana Weir ran nearly identical times from different heats, with Pretre running 4:28.154 and Weir running 4:28.155. These are huge personal records for both of them and demonstrate that both are ready to make even greater improvements on the Heps stage in two weeks. In the 5k, senior Sarah Pillard was the sole competitor for the Bulldogs and made an incredible debut in the event in 17:36.69.
At the Crimson Tide Invitational in Tuscaloosa senior captain Emma Vasen competed in the hammer throw, where she produced a mark of 53.57m. She will return to the throwing circle Saturday morning to compete in the discus throw. The Bulldogs will continue to soak up the sun and make the most of the opportunity to compete amongst new competition. The Mark Young Invitational will take place at home Saturday, and all members of the team will have a chance to put forth their best efforts this weekend.
