Dec. 8, 2007

HAVERFORD, Pa. - Villanova freshman Audrey Gariepy-Bogui placed first in two events yesterday afternoon as the Wildcats hosted the fifth annual Jack Pyrah Invitational at Haverford College, honoring Villanova's late, longtime head coach Jack Pyrah. The Villanova men also saw success having five different runners secure victories in five events.

Gariepy-Bogui proved that she is a force to reckon with in the coming years by having a strong showing in her first meet as a Wildcat. The freshman cruised to a first place finish in the 55m hurdles with a time of 8.19 before leaping to victory in the long jump event with a distance of 5.32m.

Eight other Villanova women sealed first place finishes, six running and two field events, in the Wildcats first indoor meet of the 2007-08 season. Sophomores Mary Kate Phelan, Makalia Griffith, and Laura O'Sullivan led their respective events for the afternoon. Phelan took the 55m dash crossing the finish line in 7.31, edging freshman teammate Brianna Cavallaro, who clocked in at 7.36. Griffith blazed to victory in the 500m with a time of 1:16.84, followed by junior Jordan Sarruda, who took second in the event. O'Sullivan finished first in the mile with a time of 5:14.50 as the Wildcats also secured the second, third, fourth, and fifth spots. Junior Lindsay Kos beat out her opponents in the 3000m and freshmen duo Kristen Mahon and Jessona McDonald saw success in the 300m finishing first and second with respective times of 40.15 and 40.20. Newcomer Sarah Morrison claimed her first victory as a Wildcat, placing first in the 1000m posting a 3:01.34.

Freshman Ashlyn Llerandi easily placed first in the pole vault clearing 3.55m, while junior field teammate Jacqueline Christie posted 11.21m in the Triple Jump event to edge all other opponents.

The Villanova men also had a strong showing for the afternoon. Junior Elvis Lewis took first place in the 500m with a time of 1:04.79, followed by senior John Wilsman, who sealed a second place finish at 1:06.21. The 1000m event was led by senior Mark Korich, who posted a 2:31.17, allowing Villanova to also capture the second, third, fourth, and fifth spots in the event. Senior Richard Corcoran placed first in the Mile at 4:15.76, while freshman Carl Mackenzie easily took the victory in the 3000m with a time of 8:18.30. Rounding out the meet was junior Elliot Whaley with a first place finish in the 300m posting a 36.03.

For a complete results from the Jack Pyrah Invitational, click here.