Emory University’s track and field team impressed this past weekend at the East Tennessee State University Invitational despite intense competition.
Emory was one of only three Division III schools invited to compete against 42 Division I and Division II schools at the meet. Nonetheless, the Eagles did not let the high-level competition phase them; they welcomed the challenge.
Over 60 athletes from both teams returned to Atlanta early from winter break for “Early Return” training camp. The athletes faced cold temperatures, two-a-day practices and crowded dorms, but the training paid off.
The early return also gave athletes the opportunity to give back to the community by teaming up with Nike’s Reuse-a-Shoe program. The team went door-to-door to collect more than 200 shoes. Donation boxes with the slogan “Just Do(nate) It” are still in various locations around the Woodruff Physical Education Center (WoodPEC) and students may continue to donate athletic shoes.
“This meet was a good opportunity to compete against Division I athletes, and it allowed us to challenge ourselves beyond our usual competition,” junior Julie Williamson, one of the several runners that had impressive performances, said.
Williamson welcomed the challenge: “I was eager to race after winter break and I’m glad to be training and racing with my teammates again.”
Williamson recorded the sixth fastest time in school history and the ninth fastest time in Division III this year, with a time of 2:16.22 in the 800-meter dash.
Electra Korn, another runner on the team, shined as well.
Korn finished 14th in the 200-meter dash, with a time of 25.25 seconds, good for the second best mark in Emory history, along with the fourth best time in Division III this year. She also managed a 16th place finish in the 400-meter dash, with a time of 58.53 seconds, earning her the 16th best time in Division III this year.
Two freshmen, Daniel Pietsch, a University Athletic Association (UAA) Athlete of the Week, and Shane Sullivan, also had successful runs.
Pietsch, making his collegiate debut, claimed a sixth-place finish in the 400-meter dash, after completing the race in a blazing 49.80 seconds.
Sullivan missed the cross country season with an injury, and Head Coach John Curtin said that he wasn’t sure how he would perform coming back. However, he was impressed by Sullivan’s perseverance.
“Shane was definitely one of our hardest workers over break, and it really showed during the meet,” Curtin said.
Sullivan’s work paid off as he ran a 15:20.48 in the 5000-meter heat, good for a sixth place finish to go with the 22nd best time in Division III.
“The first meet back is always a real variable,” Curtin said. “Our kids really came out and impressed. We had a real good week of practice leading up to it, but our kids really kept up with their homework over the break and were ready to go for this meet.”
The Eagles started off the year strong and hope to continue their success in Birmingham, Ala. this weekend at the Emory Crossplex Invitational.
— By Jacob Durst, Staff Writer
Asst. Sports Editor Elana Cates Contributed Reporting
Eagles Off to a Strong New Year at East Tennessee
Seniors Zachary Rosenberg (left) and Stephanie Crane (right) sprint to the finish. Rosenberg and Crane competed in the East Tennessee State University Invitational last weekend. | Photo courtesy of Emory Athletics
