LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – The Rider University women's track and field team competed at two separate meets on Friday. The Broncs saw members of the squad compete at both the Penn State National Open and the John Thomas Terrier Classic hosted by Boston University.

The women got five different ECAC-qualifying mark between the two meets.

At Penn State, Graduate student Sara Gardner (Holland Township, NJ/Delaware Valley) continued to re-write the Bronc record book as she set a new program record in the 60m hurdles with an ECAC-qualifying mark of 8.49. It was good enough for second-place on the day and it was also the top time by a student-athlete in the MAAC this season.

Also at Penn State, both senior Ashley Berry (Somerset, NJ/Franklin) and junior Fidele Jules (Tinton Falls, NJ/Red Bank Catholic) posted ECAC-qualifying marks in the weight throw. Berry ended with a toss of 16.65m, while recorded a mark of 16.57m.

In Boston, junior Peri Pavicic (Princeton, NJ/Hopewell Valley Central) registered an ECAC-qualifying time of 17:25.47 in the 5,000.

Rider also got an ECAC-qualifying performance from the 4x800 quartet in Massachusetts. The Bronc relay of sophomore Paris Boucher (Washington, NJ/Warren Hills Regional), junior Nicole Berry (Berlin, NJ/Winslow Township), junior Katie Ward (Old Bridge, NJ/Mother Seton) and sophomore Andrea Benites (Cinnaminson, NJ/Cinnaminson) finished with a time of 9:21.76.

NOTES & QUTOES
"Overall today was a very good with a lot of strong performances  at Penn State. We faced elite competition today and our athletes stood tall and gave very good efforts. Sara had a tremendous meet and is just continuing to be on a great roll. She competed really well and was rewarded with a new Rider record.  It's exciting to see her continued progress as an elite hurdler." – Rider Assistant Coach Brett Harvey

"Today was a great day for the women. The goal was to get some ECAC qualifiers, Top-ten marks and some PRs. They succeeded on all accounts. I was very happy with the effort today. They stepped up and took advantage of the opportunity and they were rewarded with great results." – Rider Head Coach Bob Hamer

"The middle distance women did a great job today. They had great races in the 800 and then came back to get the ECAC mark in 4x800. It has been around eight years since we have qualified that relay so I'm really proud of those women." – Hamer

- Rider concludes both of the meets on Saturday, January 27.