WESTFIELD, Mass. – Westfield State junior Lauren Gilderdale uncorked a throw of 50.66 (166'-02") meters to win the hammer throw at the Jerry Gravel Invitational track and field meet on Saturday, and put herself amongst the national qualifying spots in the event as well.
Gilderdale's mark was good for 16th on the national qualifying list, pending other weekend results from around the nation.
She also placed fourth in the shot put, with a toss of 11.68m (38-04), to help lead the Owls to a second place finish on their home track.
Utica (NY) College won the meet with 79 points, followed by Westfield with 65, Bridgewater (41) and UMass-Dartmouth (19) among the four complete scoring teams.
Westfield won several events, including the long jump, where senior Kerri Long leapt 5.05m (16-07) to edge teammate Kelsey Chartier. Moira McDonald won the 400 meters, Mackenzie Connor topped the pole vault 2.96 (9-08), and freshman Amy O'Sullivan got the Owls off to a fast start in the meet with a winning time of 40:17.22 in the 10,000 meters.
Westfield State senior Lexi Popp took second in both the 200 meters and the 400 intermediate hurdles, a race that proved to be a duel between All-Americans, as Popp was out-leaned by Bridgewater's Jayci Andrews at the tape in 1:03.93.
The Owls will be back in action next Saturday at the Springfield College Invitational Meet.