Meet Results (.pdf)

LEWISBURG, Pa. - Junior Erica Hess won the 400-meter dash as the Shippensburg University women's indoor track and field team opened the 2009-10 season with a strong debut from the Bison Opener at Bucknell University. The men's and women's teams combined for more than 35 PSAC qualifiers.

Hess started her season strong with the 400-meter victory in 58.88 seconds, while senior Shannon Hare finished third in the same event with a time of 59.99 seconds. In fact, Shippensburg placed five runners in the Top 12, including sophomore Katie Craven (6th; 1:00.22), sophomore Lindsey Bingaman (8th; 1:00.76) and junior Sara Wlazalek (12th, 1:01.97).

Junior Emily Dubs, fresh off a strong cross country season, finished second in the 800-meter dash on Saturday with a time of 2:19.77. Finishing right behind her was junior Jamie McCollum, who earned third place with a time of 2:22.20. Senior Chelsea Lacko, who competed in the 3,000-meter run, finished fourth with a time of 11.15.30.

Junior Laura Henzy finished seventh in the 200-meter dash with a time of 26.95 seconds, while numerous freshmen made a strong impact in their first collegiate meet with Shippensburg. Maisie Aumiller (14th, 27.33), Courtney Martin (19th, 27.58), Monique Clemons (21st, 27.72) and Caitlin Sluetz (29th, 28.37) all were among the Top 30 finishers in the 200.

Out in the field, junior Rebekah Newhart dazzled in the pentathlon and finished second overall, just 71 points behind Division I senior Jenn Pierce of Bucknell. Newhart won the high jump (5-feet, 4.5 inches) and the 60-meter hurdles (9.24 seconds) while finishing second in the long jump (16-feet, 3.25 inches).

Freshman Megan Breski led the SU vaulters, tying for fourth in the pole vault by clearing 10-feet, 10-inches. In jumps, senior Amanda Spickler finished fourth in the triple jump by leaping 16-feet, 9.25 inches.

In throws, junior Steph Harrison was a top finisher in two events, earning a solid third place in the weight throw (48-feet, 6.25 inches) and placing ninth in the shot put (40-feet, 0.75 inches). Junior Margaret Merlie was a Top 20 finisher in the shot put with a throw of 35-feet, 8.5 inches.

Shippensburg returns to action on Jan. 23, 2010 from Bucknell with a scored meet.