Georgetown Sets Meet Record DMR On Day One of Big East Championships

By Chris Lotsbom, ArmoryTrack.com

A huge effort from the Georgetown women's distance medley relay team highlighted the first day of action here at the Big East Conference Championships on Friday at The New Balance Track & Field Center at The Armory.

The final event of the session saw the Hoyas smash meet, Armory, and school records with a 10 minutes, 55.63 second performance. Pushed through thee legs by Villanova, Georgetown's Katrina Coogan was able to run a 4:32 final 1,600-meter anchor leg, giving the Hoyas the conference title. Joining her on the victorious quartet was Hannah Neczypor, Emma Keenan, and Andrea Keklak.

"I was focusing on running for these girls and my teammates and doing it for them. When you think of it like that, you just start running and you just go," said Coogan, a beaming smile on her face. 

Beginning the relay was Neczypor, who timed an unofficial 3:19 1,200 meter leg. 

"I haven't run many 1200s but that is definitely a big PR for me," she said. "It was just helpful knowing in the back of my mind that I needed to be up there for these girls and get them in a good position for the rest of the race."

That she did, handing off to Keenan. Villanova was still hot on Georgetown's heels When Keenan passed the baton to Keklak, an 800 meter specialist. Keklak created some separation, giving Coogan --daughter of Olympians Gwynn and Mark Coogan-- the baton in first. 

Knowing Villanova ace Emily Lipari was running the mile anchor for the Wildcats, Coogan dug deep and gave all she had. Bursting out to a 20 meter lead, Coogan never was challenged. She'd cruise to the win thanks to an approximate 4:32 final leg.

"I think that today was the first day that we really ran to our potential," said Coogan, joined by her teammates. All wore their gold medals with pride. "It's cool to finally pull it together, especially at Big East."

Georgetown's final time breaks the previous meet record of 11:06.99 by more than ten seconds, a mark set by Connecticut last year. It also ranks second in the NCAA this season, and is a new school record.

In the men's distance medley relay, Villanova's Dusty Solis came from behind in the final leg to claim victory in 9:42.08. Georgetown was a close second in 9:45.26.

A pair of Big East Cross Country champions claimed victories in the 5000m, as Villanova's Patrick Tiernan took the men's race in 14:04.26 and Providence's Emily Sisson finished first in the women's race, 16:08.01 reading on the clock.

Returning to The Armory one week after placing sixth at the NYRR Millrose Games was weight throw standout Danette Hinton. The student-athlete at St. John's dominated the women's weight throw by more than two feet, her farthest mark going 59-10.50. 

Marquette University claimed three title on the day. Sophomore Tatyana Pashibin won the women's pentathlon, while William Koeck claimed the men's weight throw and Carlye Schue the women's long jump.

Villanova swept the top three spots in the women's pole vault, led by Alexandra Wasik's 12-05.5 clearance. Fellow Wildcat Elbert Maxwell was victorious in the men's long jump (24-05.75).

Xavier captain Craig Krcal cleared 15-5 to win the men's pole vault crown.

After one day of competition, Villanova leads both the men's and women's standings. The men's team has scored 57 points, 13 more than Marquette (44). Villanova's women's squad has tallied 48 points through 6 events, with Marquette (37) and DePaul (26) in second and third. 

Action continues tomorrow at The New Balance Track & Field Center at The Armory, with 15 event finals to be contested. Be sure to follow live results at ArmoryTrack.com.

Photo/Chris Lotsbom