ITHACA, N.Y. -- The Big Red women's track team continued its fine 2010 campaign in hosting the Kane Invitational in Barton Hall on Friday and Saturday, a large meet that included 24 teams and over 1300 athletes, as well as 55 men's and women's multi-eventers. The weekend was a success, as the Cornell women produced 13 event wins and 6 ECAC qualifiers, to go along with a freshman record and 4 new additions to the all-time top-10 lists.  

Leading the way early in the meet were the Big Red pole vaulters, as Cornelll finished 1-2-3-4. Senior Natalie Gengel cleared 12-1 1/2 to easily eclipse the ECAC standard and sophomore Sam Brady was outstanding again, clearing the ECAC standard of 11-9 3/4, the third straight week she has cleared the ECAC height. Freshmen Clare Dishong (3rd, 10-11 3/4) and Lindsey Patterson (4th, 10-11 3/4) also contributed to the Cornell sweep. Sophomore Kristin Brandt and junior Kim Lienhoop both had very good days. Brandt won the triple jump with the #9 mark in school history, an ECAC-qualifying 39-1 3/4 and then was third in the long jump at 18- 3/4. Lienhoop, meanwhile, was second in both jumps, reaching seasonal bests of 18-5 and 38-0 3/4. Junior Cassie Schweighofer produced the #9 throw in school history in the weight throw, reaching 52-4 3/4 to barely miss the ECAC standard. Sophomore Erin Rossi (2nd, 48-7 1/2) and senior Kristen Rhinehardt (4th, 48-0 1/2) also did well. And in the shot put, freshman Victoria Imbesi won with a heave of 42- 1/2 and Schweighofer was second at 41-9 3/4. Freshmen Ailish Hanly and Sonata Dan-Princwell both cleared 5-3 in the high jump to place fourth and fifth.

The Big Red women were also very strong on the track, winning eight events. Senior Krystal Williams ran the #5 time in school history to easily win the 60, crossing the line in 7.65, an ECAC qualifier; junior Mecha Santos was second at 7.89. In the 200, sophomore Melissa Hewitt won with ease, crossing the line in 25.40. In the 300, senior Jess Weyman missed the school record by only .04, winning in 37.77 while freshman Libby O'Brien set a new school freshman record in placing second in 40.57, the #7 mark in school history and just ahead of the previous freshman record-holder, current sophomore Kelsey Reimnitz who was third in a fine 40.71. All three have held the freshman record at some point in their careers. Another freshman running very well was Genna Hartung, who ran an ECAC-qualifying 9:53.01 to win the 3000, placing ahead of senior Erin Roberts (2nd, 10:03.19), freshman Katie Kellner (3rd, 10:10.75) and junior Maura Carroll (fifth in a PR 10:14.62). Sophomore Molly Glantz also looked very strong, placing second in the 500 in 1:15.50, another ECAC qualifier; freshman Mari Giurastante was third at 1:18.39. The Big Red finished first and second in the 400, with seniors Kate Backel (57.36) and Megan Williams (57.48) running well,  in the 60 hurdles, with sophomores Taylor Baird (9.02) and Dani Silas (9.15) and in the 800, with juniors Anna Scull (2:15.51) and Alana Levy (2:18.96). Cornell swept the first five places in the mile due to the efforts of senior Kerri Lyons (5:03.45), freshman Kelsey Karys (5:04.12), senior Caroline Heidt (5:04.47), senior Stephanie Pancoast (5:04.79) and sophomore Emma Clarke (5:05.02). And the Big Red went 1-2-3 in the 1000, with senior Lindsay Broyhill (2:57.83), sophomore Meghan Brown (2:58.71) and sophomore Janel Parker (2:58.96) running well. And in the 5000, freshman Kate Rosettie ran 18:01.01 for second while sophomore Shelby Herman was fourth in a personal best 18:21.08. 

Complete results of the Kane Invitational can be found at:

http://cornellbigred.com/news/2010/2/14/MTRACK_0214102057.aspx

Next up for Cornell is the Marc Deneault Invitational in Barton Hall on Saturday, February 20. After that it is on the indoor Heps at Dartmouth on February 27-28 and the Indoor ECAC/IC4A Championships in Boston on March 6-7.