Depman Stars as Vassar Competes at Monmouth

WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – Freshman jumper Annelise Depman led a strong contingent of Vassar College women’s track athletes who shined at the Monmouth Season Opener, hosted by Monmouth College in West Long Branch, New Jersey.

“Proud of the efforts today, it was very early and it is promising to see great results and PR’s early on, but even more special to see Vassar getting out and competing tough wherever we are, learning from the effort, and becoming better for it as the season goes on,” said interim coordinator of track and cross country James McCowan.

“The first three meets of the season are set up so we can improve the process of what we have been doing in practice but in a competition setting,” said head track coach Justin Harris. “Many of our athletes had clear process goals and executed them very well. It is early in the season and not everyone had the marks they wanted but it starts with process and effort. Ramapo will be another great opportunity to focus on some shorter events for the big chunk of the team.”

In Depman, the freshman started her Vassar College career in style on Saturday, as she broke the school record in the triple jump, placing second with a distance of 10.57 meters. That eclipsed the previous record of 10.49, previously held since 2009 by Jenica Law. The triple jump had been the longest standing individual record in women’s track at Vassar before falling Saturday.

“What a great place to start for Annelise,” said McCowan. “It’s only the beginning for her, still room to grow and improve.”

Senior Ava Farrell finished second in the 3000 meter steeplechase with a personal record time of 11:39.09, taking second behind just a runner from Division I Siena College. Freshman Christiana Prater-Lee ran her first 5k on the track Saturday, and she finished second overall with an 18:29.56, just seconds off the ECAC qualifying time.

The 1500 meter run had multiple solid showings for the Brewers, as Lucy Balcezak led all VC runners in the event with a 4:57.39 for 13th place. Senior Sarah Muskin ran the event for the first time in her career and registered a 5:15.16, and junior teammate Alex Gittens also clocked in with a 5:04.17. “Alex and Sarah ran very well for their first time in the event, very smart and controlled races,” said McCowan.

In the 5000, freshman Holly Payne posted a 10th place finish with a time of 19:49.73, and fellow newcomer Cameron Daddis was 12th with a 20:14.72. Each runner was racing the 5k for the first time on the track. Senior Mollie Schear chalked up a 27.84 in the 200 meter dash, as freshman Sophie Sharp followed her with a 29.03 in the event.

The 400 meter dash saw Molly Crowell finish seventh, ahead of many Division I runners, with a time of 1:00.67, and Samara Roman-Holba posted a personal best in the one-lap race with a 1:09.12. Eliana Tyler was VC’s only competitor in the 800 meter run Saturday, as she was 17th overall with a 2:26.14.

“We are happy for lessons learned today as well as for the exciting performances, and look forward to putting together another excellent meet next week and even better ones later in the season,” said McCowan.

Vassar is back on the track Saturday morning at the Roadrunner Invitational, hosted by Ramapo College, April 2 in Mahwah, NJ.