Maxwell Shatters School Record At NCAA East Region; Langley And Long Earn Top-10 Finishes
May 30, 2008 | Track & Field
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Senior Elizabeth
Maxwell saved her best collegiate discus effort for the last
attempt of her career, and she made it a memorable and worthwhile
performance while rookie Carrie Long posted the Bulldogs' top
finish on the women's side in Division I competition by notching a
10th-place performance. Senior Jerel Langley also had a solid meet,
earning an eighth-place finish.
Maxwell, after recording two consecutive fouls to open up the NCAA East Region Meet, let off a school-record setting discus throw of 41.53m (136'3") in her third and final attempt. Despite not making the finals in an extremely tough region, Maxwell's performance was a personal best.
"It's bittersweet," Maxwell said. "It was my last event ever, but it was really nice to go out with the best I've ever thrown. I peaked at the right time. I was able to go out with a bang and feels really good. I was able to throw my best and beat someone that is from a prestigious school (Virginia Tech's Brittany Pryor). It's been a very memorable day."
The mark allowed her to finish 24th in the event. It was also just over one meter further than she had ever thrown the discus before in college, as the previous school record stood at 133'2".
Langley bettered his finish from a season ago when he took
ninth. He unleashed a throw of 64.24m (210'9"), which put GWU on
the board with one team point. In a highly talented field,
Langley's performance was just off the mark for him to make the
NCAA Outdoor National Championship. Langley closes his career with
the GWU school record in addition to the A-Sun Championship record
that he holds.
Long, a native of Franklin, N.C., opened up the pole vault by clearing a near-school record attempt of 3.66m (12'). With the bar moved to 3.81m (12'6"), Long had three solid attempts at the height, but was unable to clearly navigate over the bar. However, her 10th-place finish was a solid all-around effort. It also bodes well for Long as the sixth-place competitor, cleared 3.81m (12'6"). With two seniors ahead of her, Long will certainly move up next year and has a tremendous opportunity to qualify for the NCAA Outdoor National Championships.
"We are pleased with our performances today," head coach Brian Baker said. "We always want to strive to improve, but we couldn't have asked for too much more today. Elizabeth set the school record while Carrie Long had an excellent first jump and had three good attempts at the next height. Jerel threw well considering only one person in the entire field had a personal-best effort due to the humidity.
"We are looking forward to Caryn going out tomorrow and competing well," Baker said. "Hopefully she will be able to claim a school record."
Junior Caryn Daane (shot put) will take part of the competition
at the NCAA East Region tomorrow.
