Spiders Compete in 2012 Navy and George Mason Indoor Invitationals

Clevinger, McGonigle and Paradis after the 800M

Our women and men split this weekend (January 28, 2012).  The U.S. Naval Academy hosted a women's only running events meet (without field events), while George Mason hosted their annual Patriot Games Invitational.  We had a great weekend as our team continues to knock the rust off their competition shoes.  Below you will find links to press releases on both meets and a release on freshman Taylor Clevinger earning Rookie of the Week honors for the Atlantic 10 Conference.

At the Navy Meet, Clevinger led off our winning DMR with a 3:41 split for the 1200M and she won the 800M (2:14.48) as Spiders took 1st, 3rd (Alyson McGonigle-rFR-2:14.84) and 5th (Stephanie Paradis-2:17.32)...Our DMR team won the event and set a facility record of 11:51.34...Nicol Traynor also had a great weekend running 2:51.43 to win the 1000M and anchored our DMR in 4:50.7 for her 1600M leg...Deborah Fajuyibge won the 400M in 59.21.  She continues to run faster and we look forward faster marks from her by the ned of the season and especially outdoors...Also for the women, Alli Mannon had a nice PR of 4:58.56 in the Mile.

Next weekend we'll head to New York City and the 168th Street Armory for the New Balance Collegiate Invitational and over to CNU for their meet.

More to follow...

Track & Field Completes Competition at Navy, Mason

Courtesy:Richmond Athletics
Release:01/28/2012

Nicol Traynor

ANNAPOLIS, Md./FAIRFAX, Va. - A record-breaking performance by the Spider women's DMR squad was one of a number of strong showings as Richmond Track & Field split up for the first time of the indoor season at the Navy Classic and George Mason's Patriot Games on Saturday.

One of three Spiders to come away with individual wins at the Navy Classic, Taylor Clevinger (Mechanicsville, Va./Saint Catherine's School) continued her strong start to her rookie campaign by clocking a 2:14.48 to take the top spot in the 800 Meters. Joining her in the top five were sophomore Alyson McGonigle (Chester Springs, Pa./Villa Maria Academy) in third with a time of 2:14.84 and junior Stephanie Paradis (Leesburg, Va./Stone Bridge) in fifth with her time of 2:17.32.

Deborah Fajuyibge

Fellow newcomer Deborah Fajuyibge (Bowie, Md./Bowie) turned it on down the stretch to post a winning time of 59.21 in the 400 Meters. Classmate Amber Young (Pepper Pike, Ohio/Orange) would follow in fourth with a time of 1:01.03.

Reigning A-10 Women's Performer of the Week Nicol Traynor (Basking Ridge, N.J./Ridge) easily won the 1,000 Meters with a time of 2:51.43. Freshman Clare Moretz (Madison, Va./Madison) just missed a medal in the race with her fourth-place finish of 3:01.67.

Sophomore Kelsey McKenna (Warwick, R.I./Tollgate) was in action in the 60 Meter Hurdles, rounding out the top three with a time of 9.66. Young crossed the line less than two-tenths of a second behind in 9.82 for her second fourth-place showing of the day.

Classmate Alli Mannon (Litiiz, Pa./Warwick) clocked a personal-best 4:58.56 in the Mile to finish fifth. Joining her in the top 10 was fellow sophomore Amanda Lineberry (Mechanicsville, Va./Lee Davis) who took eighth with a time of 5:10.09.

The Distance Medley Relay squad of Paradis, Clevinger, Traynor and McGonigle provided a fitting ending to the Spiders' strong outing in Annapolis, teaming up for a new Wesley Brown Field House record time of 11:51.34 to win the event by nearly 11 seconds. Mannon led off the relay with a 3:41.10 split in the 1200 Meters, followed by Lineberry's time of 62.5 on the ensuing 400 Meters leg. Lineberry then handed off the baton to Paradis, who covered the 800 Meters leg in 2:16.5. All-American and Olympic Trials 3K Steeple qualifier Traynor would clinch the victory by anchoring the team with a 4:50.70 split in the 1600 Meters.

Read More HERE

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Clevinger Collects First A-10 Rookie Honor

Courtesy:Richmond Athletics
Release:01/30/2012

UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - Following a pair of top finishes at Saturday's Navy Classic, freshman Taylor Clevinger was named A-10 Rookie of the Week by the conference office on Monday. The award is the first of her collegiate career.

Clevinger (Mechanicsville, Va./Saint Catherine's School) clocked a 2:14.48 to win the 800 Meters on Saturday in Annapolis, Md. Her time currently ranks as the third-fastest in the A-10 this season.

The local product also combined with her A-10 leading DMR squad to set a new Wesley A. Brown Field House record with a winning time of 11:51.34. The foursome's finish was nearly a second ahead of the previous record.

Read More HERE