WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – UMass Lowell track and field closed out day two of the 2021 Colonial Relays hosted by William & Mary with several strong performances.
The highlight of the day was the women's 800-meter race, as junior
Izzy Giesing (Bradford, Vt.) turned in a record setting performance. Giesing won the event in a time of 2:05.07, good for the fourth fastest time in the country. With that finish, she set a new school record, in addition to a Colonial Relays record and a Zable Stadium record.
"We knew Izzy was in 2:05 or better shape, but she just got tripped up last week in Raleigh," explained Head Coach
Gary Gardner. "Today she looked great and definitely had more in the tank. It was great to see her bounce back and run a massive PR today."
The race featured several tough Richmond competitors, including the previous meet and stadium record holder, Maria Acosta. Giesing tucked in right behind the early leader through the first 400m before making a move to take the lead at 500m.
"Once she took the lead at 500 meters, Izzy looked smooth and controlled all the way through the line," added Gardner.
The other River Hawk women running in the 800 also turned in impressive performances. Junior
Avery Leydon (Woburn, Mass.) ran to a fourth place finish with a time of 2:12.24. Senior
Emily Sessa (Tewksbury, Mass.), who was coming off of a win and PR yesterday in the 1500-meters, set another personal record to place fifth in 2:12.59. Sophomore
Chelsea Lynch (Amesbury, Mass.) rounded out the River Hawks in the race with a PR of her own at 2:18.81 for 13
th place.
On the men's side, junior
Joseph Young (Shrewsbury, Mass.) led the way for the River Hawk contingent in the 200-meter dash with a time of 22.21 for a third place finish. Sophomore
Michael Blake (Hudson, Mass.) finished just on his heels in a time of 22.43, good for fifth. Sophomore
Hunter Marino (Weymouth, Mass.) (22.57) and junior
Kashief Bogannam (Kingston, N.H.) (22.59) rounded out the River Hawk finishers in seven and eighth place, respectively.
The men also performed well in the 800-meter run, as senior
Cody Moran (Weymouth, Mass.) placed fourth in a time of 1.53.43. Freshman
Tanner Jellison (Wakefield, Mass.) ran a time of 1.56.08 for 11
th place and sophomore
Timothy Champlin (Charlestown, R.I.) finished 18
th at 1.57.38.
The River Hawks are back in action next weekend at the Ocean State Invite hosted by Brown on April 9-10.