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The 1997 women's track & field season was highlighted by five new school records and All New England II and All ECAC III recognition for three USM athletes.
Training for the outdoor season began in late January. For the runners and jumpers it meant one or two trips to the Bowdoin indoor facility per week through March. After ten years of nomadic training USM track athletes are looking forward to having a home of their own next year. The regular season meets began on March 29 at Tufts University, followed by visits to Trinity College, Smith College, Bowdoin College, and Brown University. While the main purpose of these early meets was to prepare for the championships, some significant performances were turned in. Jen Cole (So - Marshwood), out for track for the first time, lowered her 200 time to 30.74. Eleanore Anderson (So - Houlton) lowered the 1500 school record by over 7 seconds with a 4:52.82 clocking at the Brown Invitational. Erin Russell (Jr - Kennet H.S., NH) set a new school standard in the shot put, 39-9.5. This was less than a foot off the NCAA provisional mark. The New England III Championships produced two more school records. Robyn Bourget (Jr - Bonny Eagle) lowered the 200 record to 27.60. This was the second week in a row she had knocked .3 seconds off the record. Anderson snagged her second USM record by running a 10:38.85 3000, good for 6th place and All New England honors. Dorothy Anthony (Jr Westbrook) was named to the All New England team by virtue of her 8th place finish in the shot put. The ECAC III Championship also produced some excellent performances. Bourget squeaked into the finals of the long jump and on the last jump nailed her second USM record by jumping 16-8.75. Anderson continued her hot streak with a gutsy 3rd place finish in the 5000, her 18:28.72 a personal best by 23 seconds. Both Bourget and Anderson were named to the All ECAC team. In addition, Anthony finished 9th in the discus while Russell was 13th in the shot put. |