A majority of the Rowan women’s track and field team kicked off their spring season this past weekend at the Danny Curran Invitational hosted by Widener University. While there was no composite team score kept at the meet, Rowan still turned in a huge performance spearheaded by veteran athletes.

Senior Molly Lodge recorded a PR in the 200 meters (24.92), while also recording a top-20 Division III time. Fellow senior Anna Sasse also notched a top-20 Division III time in the 800 meters (2:15.69). Both athletes finished second in their respective races.

Gabriella Pagano was another standout performer, as the junior finished second in the 5000 meters (17:32.29). Sophomore and recent addition Diamond Eaddy also turned in an excellent performance, taking home the top javelin throw of the day (38.34 m).

Head coach Shedrick Elliott III is in the midst of his first year as the Profs’ leader, and the Danny Curran Invitational marked the first time he witnessed his entire team in action, which was a success in his eyes.

“It was a great opener,” Elliott III said. “We were blessed with some beautiful weather. We had a good group walk away with some personal records. That was good to see and we’re really excited to see what’s going to come next.”

Elliott III was extremely successful in his previous gig as an assistant coach at Johns Hopkins for both the men’s and women’s teams. Elliott helped guide JHU’s women’s cross country team to four national titles while also overseeing the development and eventual success of 10 First Team All-Americans during his tenure. Now, Elliott III is looking to bring that level of success to Glassboro.

“My vision is starting to come into play but there is still a lot of work to be done, both on and off the track,” Elliott III said. “What I’m feeling really good about is the culture I would like established here is certainly coming into fruition. I’m very confident that this outdoor season will be the beginning of what we want for our performances moving forward.”

Moving forward, Rowan will take on a jam-packed weekend, participating in three different meets. Most of the sprinters will have their opening races at the Embry-Riddle Running Elements Classic in Daytona Beach, Florida. The rest of the throwers and runners will head to Ursinus College for the Ursinus Track and Field Festival, aside from a team of three distance runners making the trek up I-295 to Princeton for the Sam Howell Invitational.

For comments/questions about this story DM us on Instagram @TheWhitSports or email sports@thewhitonline.com