Villanova University

Dec. 6, 2009

Complete Results

VILLANOVA, Pa. - Villanova opened the indoor track and field season on Saturday evening hosting the annual Jack Pyrah Invitational. The Wildcats debuted with a bang, qualifying six individuals for the BIG EAST Championships and shattered four meet records.

Sophomores Shericka Ward and Christie Verdier set the tone for the women by destroying the competition in their first events of the day, the 55 hurdles and the 55 dash, respectively. Ward smashed the meet record in the hurdles by .23 seconds, running 7.89, a BIG EAST and ECAC qualifier, and just .03 seconds away from the provisional mark for the NCAA meet. Verdier also posted a BIG EAST and ECAC qualifier running 7.22 in the dash. Not to be outdone, Verdier came back to demolish the meet record in the 300m by .49 seconds, racing to 39.63 seconds.

Freshman Ariann Neutts put down a stunning performance, running away with the 1,000m in a new meet record of 2:53.69 to qualify to the BIG EAST and ECAC Championships. She capped off the third meet record of the day for a very successful early-season debut by the Villanova women.

Junior Kristen Mahon won the 500m dash and qualified to the BIG EAST and ECAC Championships in 1:15.94. Senior Makalia Griffith finished third in 1:16.97, also a conference qualifying mark.

Junior Ashlyn Llerandi won the pole vault and qualified to the conference meet and ECACs, clearing 3.60m. Melissa Meggiolaro also qualified for the BIG EAST meet, jumping 3.50m to place third in the event.

Other event winners included Junior Kaitlyn O'Sullivan in the mile. The 4x400m relay "A" squad won the event and set a new meet record. Sophomore Christie Verdier, Griffith, Mahon and junior Jessona McDonald finished in a quick 3:50.96.

Villanova will return to the track on Jan. 9 at the Penn State Relays.