Meet Results

CANTON, NY (April 17, 2011) – On a day when chilly temperatures, rain and high wind made for challenges on the track, Vassar College sophomore Laura Van Eerde successfully defended her javelin title at the Liberty League Outdoor Track & Field Championships at St. Lawrence on Saturday.

Van Eerde, who captured the 2009 championship last season at Vassar, besting eight opponents with a 34.71 meter toss, more than four meters better than RPI's Kirsten Orrell. “That's a significant number under difficult conditions, and a very good throw,” said head coach James McCowan. “It was very exciting to see her progression through her throws, how she adjusted to the wind and conditions. Laura has more in her arm. As a great team player, she also helped us pick up a point by running in the 100 meters.”

The Brewers finished third of four teams with 78 points. RPI captured the meet with 247 points followed by St. Lawrence (238) and Union in fourth (40).

Running against an NCAA All-America and multiple NCAA champion Wendy Pavlus of St. Lawrence in the 5000 meters even, freshman Aubree Piepmeier placed second with a 18:27 mark. “It was a great run for Aubree,” said McCowan. “It turned out to be a very tactical race and she ran very strong and composed. To show her worth, she came back 20 minutes later to anchor the 4 x 800 relay team. She really had a strong double race for us.”

In that same 5000 meters race, Vassar senior Zoe Carpenter finished fourth (18.40.) in a performance very similar in effort and tactical approach as Piepmeier displayed. Carpenter also performed admirably in the 1500 meters, another event that has been dominated by Pavlus the last several years. She finished in 4:56.30.

In the finals of the 800 meters, sophomore Kelly Holmes earned the Brewers big points with a second place finish (2:28.46), barley being edged out by Danielle Cohen of RPI (2:27.17).

Vassar earned a second place finish in the 3000 meter steeplechase with freshman Chloe Williams leading the way with a 12:10.40 effort, followed by senior Brittany Davis in fifth place (12:27.52). “For only her second steeplechase ever, Chloe did a phenomenal job,” McCowan said.

Competing in both the long jump and 100 meters sophomore Tiffany Marchell came in fifth (4.44 meters) and fourth in the sprinting event (14.37).

The Brewers will head to Princeton for the Larry Ellis Invitational next Friday, April 22 and then compete against on Saturday at Connecticut College,