FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LEWISTON, Maine -- Senior Erika Bristol of Pittsfield, Mass., won her specialty, the 20-pound weight throw, to help the Bates College women's track and field team to a 12th place finish at the New England Division III Indoor Track and Field championships held Feb. 19 at Bowdoin College.

Bristol earned her first-ever winter All-New England honor with her winning throw of 50 feet, 4.75 inches, which was five inches better than her nearest competitor. Bristol entered the meet ranked fourth in New England in the weight throw. The winning toss extended her own school record by nearly a foot and a half. It also improves Bristol's ranking to eighth among NCAA Division III National Championships qualifiers, giving her a chance to attend her first national championships, which will be held March 11-12 at Illinois Wesleyan University. Also earning All-New England honors in the weight throw was senior Jennifer Winslow of Lee, N.H., who placed eighth with a throw of 43 feet, nine inches.

The Bobcats also had two runners who contributed to their finish. First year distance runner Abigail Anthony of Jamestown, R.I., placed fifth in the 5,000-meter run (18:24.30), while senior Kate Burakowski of Derry, N.H., took sixth in the 1,500-meters (4:54.92). The Bobcats' 12th place finish was their best at the New England indoor track championships since the 1991-92 season. For more information on Bates College women's track and field, please visit our website at http://www.bates.edu/sports/wtrack.html