Your women's DMR champions! pic.twitter.com/NKCGORpjTj
— Villanova Track & XC (@NovaTrackXC) April 24, 2014
For the third consecutive year, the Villanova Women have claimed the Distance Medley Relay Championship at the Penn Relays.
In dramatic fashion, Senior Emily Lipari came from behind to edge Stanford's Aisling Cuffe by .29 seconds in the final lap to give the Lady 'Cats the victory. Lipari noted, "I was pretty relaxed with 400 meters to go. At the final straightaway I knew that I had it."
This is the 13th victory in the event for Villanova at The Relays- 8 more than Tennessee, and that means loads to the school and program. Head Coach, Gina Procaccio noted, "The DMR at the Penn Relays is the Villanova legacy. This is the most prestigious of the distance relays. If you had to pick a relay to win it would be the DMR."
Stephanie Schappert started 'Nova off with a 3:25 split in the 1200. Michaela Wilkins than ran 54.40 400m and Nicky Akande finished her 800m leg in 2:04.51 before handing off to Lipari whose 4:33.44 1600m run gave Villanova the victory in 10:57:35.
It is the 4th Penn Relays championship for Lipari and Akande, the second for Wilkins, and the first for Schappert.
Final Results
| # | SCHOOL | MARK | ATHLETES | ID |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Villanova | 10:57.35 | Stephanie Schappert (3:25.00), Michaela Wilkins (54.40), Nicky Akande (2:04.51), Emily Lipari (4:33.44) | AA |
| 2 | Stanford | 10:57.64 | Amy Weissenbach (3:24.83), Kristyn Williams (52.37), Claudia Saunders (2:04.58), Aisling Cuffe (4:35.86) | AB |
| 3 | Georgetown | 11:06.14 | Andrea Keklak (3:25.43), Amanda Kimbers (53.52), Sabrina Southerland (2:04.86), Rachel Schneider (4:42.33) | AD |
| 4 | Dartmouth | 11:06.31 | Dana Giordano (3:29.60), Elizabeth Markowitz (54.32), Megan Krumpoch (2:07.29), Abbey D'Agostino (4:35.10) | AE |
| 5 | Oregon | 11:06.89 | Megan Patrignelli (3:26.34), Chizoba Okodogbe (52.65), Samantha Murphy (2:03.63), Laura Roesler (4:44.27) | AC |
| 6 | Texas | 11:16.76 | Connor Ward (3:37.18), Danielle Dowie (53.56), Katie Hoaldridge (2:06.16), Marielle Hall (4:39.86) | AJ |
| 7 | Duke | 11:18.29 | Anima Banks (3:28.94), Madeline Kopp (53.42), Abby Farley (2:09.56), Haley Meier (4:46.37) | AF |
| 8 | Harvard | 11:18.59 | Kieran Gallagher (3:31.74), Olivia Abbate (55.89), Erika Veidis (2:06.55), Molly Renfer (4:44.41) | AK |
| 9 | Columbia | 11:18.85 | Olivia Sadler (3:28.84), Jaycee Parker (55.43), Trina Bills (2:08.54), Waverly Neer (4:46.04) | AH |
| 10 | N.C. State | 11:22.88 | Megan Moye (3:30.73), Denae Ford (55.51), Kenyetta Iyevbele (2:06.45), Ryanna Henderson (4:50.21) | AO |
| 11 | Mississippi State | 11:25.06 | Katie Huston (3:32.59), Keisha Wallace (55.51), Ocian Archer (2:14.31), Rhianwedd Price (4:42.65) | AM |
| 12 | UConn | 11:26.57 | Laura Williamson (3:35.62), Paris Taft (56.97), Faith Dismuke (2:09.50), Brigitte Mania (4:44.48) | AN |
| 13 | New Mexico | 11:31.02 | Calli Thackery (3:31.55), Hannah Riker-Urruita (57.05), Chloe Anderson (2:10.74), Suzi Boast (4:51.68) | AI |
| 14 | Princeton | 11:45.69 | Zoe Sims (3:36.42), Emily Broyles (59.47), Kristin Smoot (2:11.16), Molly Higgins (4:58.64) | AP |