School Record, Three Wins Highlight Track & Field's Outdoor Opener

Chris Eccleston opened the season with a personal best

and school record in the modern javelin.

Three Spiders won events Saturday at the Patriot Invitational.

Along with the Spiders...athletes from Georgetown, Virginia, George Mason, Air Force, Fordham and Towson competed in the meet.

By Mike DeGeorge
Richmond Sports Information

March 20, 2010

FAIRFAX, Va. - Chris Eccleston set a school record in the modern javelin throw, while Megan Ney, Dana Guglielmo and Meaghan McGovern won events as the Richmond track & field team opened its outdoor season at the Patriot Invitational Saturday at George Mason.

Ney was the victor in the long jump, Guglielmo won the 3,000m, McGovern took the hammer throw to highlight Saturday for the women.

On the men's side, Eccleston's throw of 60.60m (198'10") set a modern-day school record for the Spiders - and the longest throw by a Spider in 75 years. The original mark of 65.13m was set in 1935 by Woodrow Clark - before the NCAA and IAAF redesigned the javelin.

Eccleston's toss was good for second-place.

"We had a pretty good day that was highlighted by Chris's javelin," said men's head coach Steve Taylor. "That is an excellent throw that he has worked hard to achieve. I'm happy for him."

Also for the men, Sam Weber took second in the in long jump (5.78m) and Steve Rachman was sixth in the 200m (23.22).

(L-R) Julie Rechel (3rd-10:05.86), Dana Guglielmo (1st-9:52.61)

and Erin Lunny (6th-10:25.66) led the Spiders in the 3K.

Guglielmo won the 3,000m and led three Spiders in the event with her personal-best time of 9:52.61. Julie Rechel was third (10:05.86) and Erin Lunny was sixth (10:25.66)

In the hammer, McGovern won the event with her mark of 53.34m, and she was followed by Monica Howard, who took fourth (46.34m).

Ney enjoyed a big day for the Spiders as she won the long jump (5.74m), placed tied for second in the high jump (1.65m) and finished seventh in the 200m with a personal-best time of 25.63.
"This was a good start to the outdoor season. I'm pleased with the competitive attitude of our team," said women's head coach Lori Taylor. "Everyone competed with intensity, which is what we wanted."

Also for the women, Heather Roush was third in the javelin (36.57m), Andi Defonce was fourth in the 800m (2:18.07) and Stephanie Paradis was fifth in the 800m (2:18.76).

Sophomore, Andi DeFonce ran the 800M and the 4x400M

Complete Results: http://www.richmondspiders.com/sports/c-track/stats/2009-2010/masonresults.html

Read More: http://www.richmondspiders.com/sports/c-track/recaps/032010aaa.html