Dec. 4, 2006

PHILADELPHIA - The Saint Joseph's men's and women's track teams kicked off the 2006-07 indoor track & field season at the Lafayette Invitational on Friday in Easton, PA. Five members of the women's team, along with the 4x440-yd relay squad, took first place in their events, while a number of newcomers performed admirably for both teams in their first collegiate meets.

For the SJU women, senior captains Julie Lentz and Valerie Ramirez placed first in the 440-yd dash and the 60-yd hurdles, respectively. Ramirez's time of 8.63 was just .03 seconds off of the school record she set last season. She also placed third in the 220-yd dash, which was won by junior Jordan Teuber with a time of 26.61. Her time of 7.38 in the 60-yd dash was good for second place as well.

Also winning event titles were junior Adriene Beltz and freshman Nicole McMullen. Beltz took home a victory with a 5:35.34 in the mile run, while McMullen was the top finisher in the 500m with a 1:18.38. She also led the Hawks in the long jump with a leap of 16' 7 ¼" that earned her a second place. McMullen also anchored the Hawks' winning 4x440-yd relay squad (4:12.50).

On the men's side, freshman Drew Brandt qualified for the 60-yd dash finals, where he ran a 6.93 to place fifth in his Hawk Hill debut. Also performing well for the Hawks were seniors Chris Kessler, Mike Tatara, and Joe Witiw. Kessler took fifth in the 880-yd dash with a time of 2:00.21, while captains Witiw and Tatara were third and fifth in the 500m with times of 1:07.87 and 1:09.36, respectively. Junior Matthew Weaver placed third in the 440-yd dash, turning in a 53.66.

The Hawk track and field squads next hit the oval on Friday, December 8 when they travel to the Princeton Invitational.