Rowan traveled to Staten Island, New York, last weekend to compete in the METS Championships, where they placed third out of 14 teams. The No. 36 nationally ranked Profs are now second in New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) behind The College of New Jersey (TCNJ).
“The meet was pretty much highlighting the 800 meters through the 5K, and all in all, they were some pretty solid performances,” head coach Shedrick Elliott III said.
Shannon Stakelbeck, the junior Prof, hit a new personal record in the 5000 meters at Friday’s meet. Stackleback finished the race with a time of 18:20.93, giving her a third-place finish behind Isabella Spagnoli of Hosfra University and Elaina Rainwater of Monmouth University.
Stakelbeck’s final time for the 5000 meters is now the NJAC’s number-one time.
“I’ve been following the plans I’ve been given by coach Dubois, and just having a lot of discipline,” Stakelbeck said. “I make sure I get all my miles in. No matter the weather.”
The Profs took home two first-place finishes at Friday’s meet. Senior Gabriella Pagano placed first in the mile run, finishing with a time of 4:59.13. Profs Ava Rizzo, Lisa O’Sullivan, Gianna Burgio, and Jezena Aponte rallied together to take home a first-place win in the Women’s 4000 meters Distance Medley Relay. The girls finished with a 12:45.16 time.
Aside from their victory in the relay, Rizzo and O’Sullivan also reached their new personal records in the 800 meters. Rizzo finished with a 2:18.48 time, taking home a third-place finish. O’Sullivan followed shortly behind, placing fourth with a 2:18.99 time.
The team’s performance tallied up to 50 points, giving them a third-place finish for the meet. They ranked below Monmouth and St. John’s University.
The Profs currently sit in second place in the NJAC, which is something that doesn’t shock Elliott III.
“I would say that’s about right,” Elliott III said. “I’m more than content with that because ultimately it’s really not about the rankings, it’s really more about us doing what we’re supposed to do on the track.”
The Profs will travel to New York City on Friday to compete in the Scarlet Knight Invitational at The Armory.
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