UMW track hosts Battleground Relays, sees many strong performances

By MIKEY BARNES 

On March 31, the University of Mary Washington men and women’s track and field teams hosted the Battleground Relays, welcoming a number of other teams to Fredericksburg and UMW’s brand new outdoor track and field facility.

The 2017 Battleground Relays began in rainy fashion. Senior Chris Markham made the best of the cold rain as he finished in second place overall in the 3,000-meter steeplechase with a time 9:53. Sophomore Calhoun Stirling was right behind Markham, in third place with a time of 9:56.

School record holder, junior Daniel Forjan finished in second in the hammer throw with a toss of 127 feet and 4.25 inches. Freshman Daniel Robertson finished in third with a throw of 122 feet and 5.25 inches. The women’s sprint medley relay team took first place, with a team of Lauren Esprit, Janel Moore, Erin Andrewlevich and Kristy White. Senior Sheree Turner took second in the hammer throw 145 feet and eight inches.

On the second day, Saturday, April 1, UMW had a number of phenomenal performances. Senior Danielle Holzhauser took second in the 100-meter hurdles at 17.54. The distance medley relay team of Marin Bader, Kathryn Beddoo, White and Emily Knerr finished with a time of 13:20. Turner grabbed another second place finish in the shot put at 11.81 meters. Freshman Avery Haislip won in the pole vault at 2.75 meters, where sophomore Brynne Reeves took second at the same height.

Senior Ben Sorenson took second in the 1500 meters with a time of 4:06.96. Freshman Camron Rauch finished in third at 200-meters at 22.63. On that second day, Forjan won shot put at 15.33 meters and finished in third at discus at 41.43 meters.

It was not a scored meet, but was a phenomenal overall performance by UMW in their final home meet before hosting conferences on April 21 and 22. UMW will be back in action, Saturday, April 8 at George Mason.