Feringa, Burton Rojas Claim Wins on Day One at CSU

Photo by: Al Samuels

3/17/2017 11:11:00 PM | Women's Track & Field

By: Chris Chandler, Assistant Director of Athletics Communications

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. - The College of Charleston track & field program picked up a pair of wins to open up the CSU Spring Break Invitational, establishing itself in a strong position headed into day two.

Ellen Feringa claimed first place in the steeplechase with a time of 11:12.51. Not only did it improve upon her personal best by 11 seconds, it prevailed against the next-fastest runner by over 33 seconds.

Freshman long jumper Leona Burton Rojas claimed first place as well for the Cougars, uncorking a leap of 5.53m to establish her as the fourth-best long jumper in CofC history. The feat came on her third attempt.

Tori Churchill was able to earn a spot on the podium in the 5000m run, clocking a second place time of 18:07.75 to propel her from ninth to seventh on the CofC all-time performance list. Fellow distance athlete Lizzie Parrish made a podium appearance as well, taking third in the 800m with a time of 2:29.47.

In the sprints, Kennay Agnew made a big leap in the 100m dash with an eighth place time of 12.40 which not only qualified her for Saturday's finals, but launched her from sixth to second on the CofC performance list. She also registered an 11th place finish in the 200m with a time of 25.34, while Jordan Gravelle finished fourth in the 400m (60.29).

In the 400m hurdles, freshman Holly Driver etched her name on the CofC Top 10 performance list at No. 9 with an 8th place time of 1:07.42. Jenny Martin meanwhile was the first Cougar across the finish line in the 100h with a time of 16.01 to take 11th.

In the hammer throw, Courtney Brooks finished 8th with a personal best heave of 45.16m, which eclipsed her previous high by 24cm. Simone Harris meanwhile had a toss of 39.61m to debut at No. 9 on the all-time performance list.

Members of the men's cross country team made a mark as well for the Cougars. Hayden DiBona clocked a 6th place time of 4:02.99 in the 1500m, while Sam Beattie finished 7th in the 5000m with a time of 15:34.67.

The Cougars finish up the meet tomorrow, which is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. with the shot put. The first track event is slated for 12:35 p.m. with the 4x100m relay, while the final event of the day comes at 2:55 p.m. with the 4x400m relay.