LORETTO, Pa. (Feb. 4, 2011) - The Northeast Conference women's track & field coaches released their predicted order of finish for the 2011 NEC Indoor Track & Field Championships, and the Saint Francis women were picked to replicate their 2010 finish and take fifth out of the conference's 12 teams.
The Red Flash women took fifth place at the 2010 NEC Indoor Championships, capturing the titles in just the Shot Put and the 5000m. While Saint Francis's champion in the 5000m, Anna Hoffman, is no longer around, the Flash do return
Christin Bridge (Gibsonia, Pa./Pine-Richland), who took the Shot with a toss of 14.16m last year. Bridge again ranks first in the Shot Put in the NEC, and also ranks fourth in the Weight Throw.
Also expected to perform well in the field is
Kathryne Kendrick (Armagh, Pa./United), who ranks eighth in the conference in the Weight Throw and has been on the cusp of qualifying for the ECAC Championships in the event. Kendrick scored her first career points last outdoor season and could press for a top-eight showing at the indoor championships this season.
Saint Francis has added depth in several key areas, however, and will look to improve upon the predictions of the league. In the sprint events,
Keishana LaRose (Brooklyn, N.Y./Acorn Community) ranks first in the conference in both the 400m (56.57) and the 500m (1:14.17), and is part of the 4x400m Relay team that ranks fourth in the NEC.
The women's sprints in general have improved this season. Sophomore
Alexis Hurd (Manchester, Md./North Carroll) has improved across the board in several events, ranking fifth in the 60m, second in the 200m, and third in the Long Jump. Hurd will also likely be part of the 4x400m Relay team.
In the distance events, sophomore Jennifer Haffner ranks fifth in the conference in the 800m, coming off an outdoor season where she scored in the 800m, and Kathleen Cianci ranks ninth in the Mile and will try to put points on the board for the Flash.
1. Long Island (7)
2. Monmouth (5)
3. Sacred Heart
4. Mount St. Mary's
5. Saint Francis (PA)
6. Robert Morris
7. Quinnipiac
8. Fairleigh Dickinson
9. Wagner
10. Bryant
11. Central Connecticut State
12. St. Francis (NY)
First place votes in parentheses ().
