April 18, 2021

The Basics

• The lead: Sophomore Laura Mathews set a school record in the 100-meter hurdles to lead the Stevens Institute of Technology women's outdoor track and field team Saturday at the Bill Fritz Invitational, hosted by Rowan University. 
• Location: Coach Richard Wackar Stadium - Glassboro, N.J.
• Short Story: After turning in a preliminary time of 15.13 seconds, Mathews was even better in the finals, reaching the finish in 14.94 seconds to break the previous record of 15.02 seconds, set by Tiffany Evangelou at the 2014 ECAC Division III Championships. The Denville, New Jersey native currently holds the 20th-fastest time in Division III, the fourth-fastest time in the Atlantic Region and the top time in the Middle Atlantic Conference.
• The Score: Team scores were not compiled

Top Finishes

• Graduate student Gina Dello Russo remained undefeated in the 200 and 400-meter dashes this season, winning both races against Division II and III opponents. In the 200, Dello Russo bested the field in a season-best time of 24.98 seconds, while winning the 400 in a season-best 56.82. The Morris Plains, New Jersey native is ranked seventh in Division III in the 200 and second in the 400. 
• Sophomore Liana Meyer won the long jump, reaching 4.86 meters, matching an outdoor personal best. Meyer is currently seeded 11th in the conference.

Key Performances

• Sophomore Kristen Williams reached the finals of the 100-meter dash with a time of 13.51 seconds. Williams is currently ranked 15th in the conference.
• Williams also turned in a strong performance in the 100 hurdles, advancing to the finals and placing eighth with a time of 21.20. Her preliminary time of 15.76 set a new personal record.
• Graduate student Melissa Barnes turned in a season best in the 400 hurdles, placing third with a time of 1:13.71. The time is the eighth-fastest in the conference.
• Sophomore Susan George set an outdoor best in the triple jump, reaching 9.98 meters, which currently ranks ninth in the conference.
• Hall of Famer Alina Duran competed in the hammer throw and reached 61.67 meters on her second attempt. 
• Senior Magdalena Botrous made her season debut in the hammer throw and reached 30.20 meters on her third attempt to qualify for the conference meet. The Cedar Grove, New Jersey native last competed outdoors at the Empire 8 Conference Outdoor Championships May 4-5, 2018.
• Junior Samantha Reilly improved her mark in the javelin, hitting a season-best 29.66 meters on her first attempt to finish third. The distance is the 10th-best in the conference this season. 

From the Blocks

• "We would like to thank Melanie Rynshall from our Sports Medicine staff and athletic Russell Rogers for making this non-conference opportunity possible. Rowan did a fabulous job hosting and keeping everyone safe. The strong competition and favorable tailwinds combined with solid preparation enabled several of our athletes to achieve breakthrough performances. This was one of those days that you thoroughly enjoy as a track and field coach. Everywhere you turned someone was setting a personal best and putting together the techniques and execution that we've practiced." - head coach Lance Harden
• "From top to bottom, this was one of the most successful meets I've been a part of in my coaching career. As a team, we accumulated a school record, four individual wins, 10 lifetime bests, and 19 season bests. As a staff we knew this kind of day was possible, but this level of universal execution was just about the best-case scenario. With under three weeks to go until our conference championship, it's incredibly encouraging to see these kinds of results." - assistant coach John Kolibab
• "The 100-meter hurdles had a couple of inspiring performances. Laura Mathews continued to improve with a school record-breaking time today. Every week she gets more and more comfortable going over barriers, and she's been faster in every race she's run this year.  I do not see this trend ending anytime soon.  Kristen Williams had a special moment this weekend by running far and away the cleanest race of her college career.  With Kristen, it's all about trusting her speed and being confident in her takeoff spot on each hurdle. Her preliminary race today was a quantum leap forward in terms of performance, and we're excited to see what she can do when she clears hurdles seven and eight more effectively. We have a shockingly good duo in the short hurdles." - assistant coach John Kolibab
• "Liana Meyer had a great day today winning the long jump. Her key to success in that event is her last couple of steps and when those steps are quick and powerful, she has considerably more success." - assistant coach John Kolibab
• "In the 200 meters, Gina Dello Russo has been stuck in the mid 25's this year and she finally was able to break the 25-second barrier. Her start can still be improved, but that was the most engaged she's been over the last 50 meters of any race in a very long time.  Gina always does her best work at the end of the year, and it was great to see a glimpse of what's to come." - assistant coach John Kolibab
• "After 1,078 days, Maggie Botrous was finally able to throw in an outdoor meet. She opened her season up today with a 5-meter PR, getting over 30 meters for the first time, and qualified for the finals and for the conference meet. As a leader of our throws squad, Maggie consistently shows up every practice and does all the little things. Her hard work and perseverance has gotten her to this point and we couldn't be happier for her." - assistant coach Tim Wilson

Up Next

• Women's Track & Field heads to Center Valley, Pennsylvania on Apr. 24 for the DeSales University Invitational.

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