April 15, 2013

PHILADELPHIA - The senior members and additional standouts from the women's track and field team were honored at the 2012-13 track and field banquet on Sunday evening.

Five awards were presented, including "Best Teammate", "Most Dedicated", "Most Improved", "Best Freshman", and "MVP".

Senior jumper Genevieve Ruppel, a four-year letterwinner and senior captain, received the "Best Teammate" award. The junior pair of Emma Slattery and Elizabeth Barrett received "Most Dedicated" and "Most Improved" honors, respectively. Freshman Dannah Hayward, who already owns three school records, was named "Best Freshman".

Senior captain Hannah Boyce was named the team's "MVP" after a brilliant four-year career that included competition in the 60m hurdles, 300m, 800m, high jump, long jump and, just this year, the shot put en route to her first indoor pentathlon. Boyce took home the silver medal in the high jump with a personal-record high jump (1.70m) at the 2013 Atlantic 10 Championships and took first place in the high jump (1.65m) at the Delaware Outdoor Open this past Saturday.

Eight seniors - Boyce, Francesca D'Angelo, Lena Finucane, captain Shannon Geddes, Erin Giampietro, captain Maureen O'Donnell, captain Genevieve Ruppel, and captain Sara Walker - and two juniors - Emily Chappell and Erin James - were recognized for their dedication and commitment to the track and field program.

The Hawks return to action this weekend at the Larry Ellis Invitational, hosted by Princeton University in Princeton, N.J. The meet is scheduled to be held Friday, April 19 through Saturday, April 20. The Hawks' first event is tentatively scheduled for 5:00 p.m. at Weaver Stadium. Additionally, SJU will be in action on Saturday, April 20 at the Widener Invitational in Chester, Pa.