Eagle’s track and field tackles meet by breaking records

The University of Mary Washington track and field team competed in the Capital Athletic Conference (CAC) indoor championship over the weekend in Newport News, Va. The women’s indoor track and field team finished in second place, while the men placed fifth.

Junior Cheyenne Falls finished first in the shot put and broke a school record, held by her, with a throw of 40 feet, 10.5 inches.

Freshman Sheree Turner took third in the shot put with a throw of 37 feet, six inches, and sophomore Taylor Cockerille finished fourth with a throw of 37 feet, 4.5 inches.

The lady Eagles placed 2-3-4-5 in the weight throw, with sophomore Elysa Baker placing second with a throw of 43 feet, 4.25 inches.

Turner took third with 40 feet, 2.25 inches, Cockerille finished fourth at 39 feet 11.25 inches and Falls placed fifth at 37 feet, 9.25 inches.

In the pole vault, junior Claire Harrington finished second with a measure of 10 feet, four inches.

In track freshman Natalie Young took first place in the 5,000 meters with a time of 18:05.50 and second in the 3000 meters at 10:49.70. She finished third in the mile at 5:29.74.

On the men’s side, junior Nick Judy finished first with a school record and CAC indoor record jump of 14 feet, 6.25 inches. Senior Sean Healy finished third in the 5000 meters at 15:51.63. Senior Matt Shaughnessy finished second in the 800 meters at 1:55.43.

Overall, it was a successful weekend for the Eagles in what has been a great season.

Many members of the team have broken school and conference records throughout the season. Elysa Baker broke the school weight throw record with a throw of 45 feet, 5.75 inches.

Falls, who has done shot put since her sophomore year of high school attributed much of her success to the team and the fun they have.

“I love my teammates. Freshman year I didn’t have any female throwing teammates, so this year has been a lot of fun for me,” Falls said.

Taylor Cockerille, a transfer student, said she has felt right at home since coming to UMW. She echoed a similar statement about the team.

“I love it, love the bond us throwers have created. We are together 24/7; we do team toga, team lifting, team dinner. It’s been so much fun for me,” she said.

Cockerille transferred from Christopher Newport University and said she notices big differences between the two track and field teams.

“I like practices better, our coach focuses more on athletic training, and that’s helped me so much, so overall it’s been a great experience,” said Cockerille.

These two ladies are the best of friends, but that does not mean they cannot be competitive with each other. In fact, the whole team is, according to Falls.

“We push each other [her and Taylor]; we all push each other. I can’t let her beat me, or any of them for that matter. So it adds a little more pressure we are all extremely competitive with each other, so that helps our performance in meets,” said Falls.

The whole team is having a great year, evident in their second place finishing in the conference tournament.

The track and field team has two more meets before they host the Battleground relays right here in Fredericksburg on Friday, March 21.