May 12, 2012

BOSTON, Mass. - The Minutewomen are in first place in the New England Championships at MIT on Friday after day one of the women competition. Strong performances in the long jump, a stand out showing in the javelin throw and a new record set by Chrissy Silvar in the pole vault propelled UMass to a quick four point lead over Tufts, New Hampshire, Middlebury and Southern Connecticut State.

Chrissy Silvar (Fitchburg, Mass.) finished her career at UMass strong on Friday by setting a new personal best while moving up in the all-time rankings in the pole vault. The senior set a mark of 11-7.75, placing her seventh in the championship meet and climbed from fifth place all-time at UMass to fourth, passing Rhianna DaCruz's record of 11-6.25.

The Minutewomen gave a strong showing in the long jump, with three jumpers placing top eight. Rebecca Banker (Salem, Conn.) led the trio placing second in the event with a distance of 18-2.25. Just behind her finishing third with a distance of 17-11.50 was junior, Katherine Finnegan (Harvard, Mass.). Placing eighth in the event for UMass was Ashley Palmer (Phoenix, N.Y.). The freshman leaped a distance of 17-5.50.

Also giving a standout performance was UMass 2012 Outdoor A-10 Champion, Rachelle Bourque (Rowley, Mass.). The junior placed fourth in the javelin throw with a distance of 137-4.