The Elon University women's track and field team had a program-record five athletes compete at this week's NCAA East Preliminaries at the University of North Florida.
Freshman Jennifer Esposito and senior Allyson Oram each moved up in the national rankings and improved their times in their respective events. Esposito cracked the one-minute barrier for the second time this season, running the 400-meter hurdles in 59.89 and moving from 44th in the nation to 33rd. Oram finished with a time of 36:08.35 in the 10,000-meters, moving to 34th in the nation from her previous ranking of 42nd.
Senior Bria Bell ran a 55.42 in the 400-meters.
On the second day, sophomore Sydney Griffin ran a 14.12 in the 100-meter hurdles. Sophomore Megan Kirschling competed in the high jump, and cleared the bar at 5-feet, 5.75-inches in her first attempt, but failed to advance any further.
“I’m very happy with the experience that the young ladies were able to gather during this week,” Elon head track and field coach Mark Elliston said in a press release. “While the results were not what we had hoped, this will serve as a springboard for the returners going into next season.”