HARRISONBURG, Va. – Scolasticah Kemei individual title in the 10,000-meters led a strong effort for the Elon University women's track and field team on the opening day of the Colonial Athletic Association Outdoor Championships on Friday, April 30, at Sentara Park.
 
Kemei clocked a time of 35:48.14 in the women's 10,000-meters as the Eldoret, Kenya, native was one of four Phoenix athletes that finished in the top-five of the race. Maria Ahm was the runner-up with a time of 35:48.31 while Maggie Springer was fourth overall with a time of 35:59.66. Bridget Kanaley was fifth in the race with her time of 36:14.16.
 
The Phoenix also scored points in the women's hammer throw as Charlotte Bradsher was fifth in the women's hammer throw with a toss of 52.77m. Lauryn Carlton also finished in the top-eight for Elon with her throw of 46.73m.
 
Elyse King was Elon's top finisher in the long jump, finishing eighth overall with a leap of 5.61m. Nuria Menéndez Sánchez was seventh in the javelin throw with a toss of 38.84m, a new personal-best.
 
The maroon and gold also set itself up for a strong finish for Championship Saturday with 13 athletes qualifying for finals in their respective events. Kayla Clark ran the fastest time in the prelims of the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 14.04. Menéndez Sánchez also reached the finals in the race with her time of 14.76 in seventh.
 
In the 1,500-meters, four athletes will race tomorrow in the finals led by Melissa Anastasakis, who was fourth in the prelims with her time of 4:58.20. Anna Twomey was sixth with her time of 4:58.55 while Leandra Lorenz was eighth at a time of 4:58.56. Alexandra DeCicco will join the trio after she finished 10 overall in the prelims.
 
Piper Jons posted the second-fastest time in the 400-meter prelims, racing a time of 57.32. Aliya Barrows also qualified for the final round after coming across the line with her time of 58.10. Stephanie Lair led three Phoenix qualifiers for the final round in the 800-meters as she finished third in the prelims with a time of 2:16.80. Gabriela Varisco de Oliveira was fifth with her time of 2:16.40 while Twomey was seventh overall with a time of 2:16.27.
 
Lauren Willingham and Tessa DiPierdomenico both reached the final round in the 400-meter hurdles. Willingham was seventh in the prelims with her time of 1:06.28 while DiPierdomenico was eighth at 1:06.65.
 
The Phoenix ended the opening day tied for the lead in the team standings with 35 points along with Towson. Delaware sits third overall with 30 points while Northeastern is fourth with 27. William & Mary (17), James Madison (seven), UNCW (four) and College of Charleston (one) rounded out the team scores on the women's side.
 
On Deck
The second and final day of the meet is scheduled to begin tomorrow, May 1, at 11 a.m. with Menéndez Sánchez scheduled to begin her day in heptathlon long jump.