Tufts University Co-Ed Invitational
at Medford, Mass.

BOBCATS TAKE NINTH AT TUFTS
Wanless, Strahle qualify for nationals

MEDFORD, Mass. — The Bates College women's track and field team got two victories and two NCAA Division III National Championship performances today as the Bobcats finished ninth of 13 teams at the Tufts University Co-ed Invitational.

Sophomore Liz Wanless (Belleville, Ill.) increased her school record in the shot put for the third time this season with a heave of 44 feet, 1.25 inches. The throw won the event and was Wanless' third NCAA mark of the season and her first automatic qualifier, ensuring her trip to the national championships at Ohio Northern University in Ada, Ohio, in March. Also in the field events, senior Jen Strahle (Ridgewood, N.J.) placed second in the 20-pound weight throw with a throw of 45-6.5, a personal best and a provisional NCAA championship qualifier. Strahle is looking for her first trip to nationals.

On the track, Bates picked up its second win of the afternoon as sophomore Beth Pagnotta (Hookset, N.H.) qualified for the ECAC championshipsin the 5,000-,meter run with a time of 18:49.88. The time was a personal best for Pagnotta by 23 seconds. Classmate Julie Dutton (Londonderry, N.H.) also had a p.r. on the afternoon in the 1,500. Her time of 4:51.40 qualified Dutton for the Open New England Championships later this month.

Complete results available