RESULTS

NAPERVILLE, Ill. – Senior Brandy Smith and freshman Beth Cripps of the nationally ranked No. 2 Ithaca College women's track & field team both earned All-American performances at the NCAA Division III Indoor Championships on Friday at the Al B. Carius Track, which is being hosted by North Central College.

Smith was the first of four All-Americans for Ithaca on the day, as she placed sixth in the weight throw with a mark of 17.81 meters (58 feet, 5.25 inches) during the morning session of the championships. She began the event at 16.30 meters and then measured out 16.60 meters on her second heave. Her third attempt was her best mark at 17.81 meters. After fouling on her next two attempts, Smith posted a mark of 17.76 meters.

It is her fourth career All-American performance as she is a two-time national champion in the discus and placed third in the weight throw last year.

Cripps tied for eighth in the pole vault at 3.60 meters (11' 9.75") to run Ithaca's all-time total of All-Americans in track & field to 106, including 50 during the indoor season. She cleared 3.45 and 3.60 meters on her first attempts, but was unsuccessful on all three runs at 3.75 meters. Due to clearing 3.45 and 3.60 on her first tries, Cripps earned All-America position.

The Ithaca distance medley relay team of junior Sierra Grazia, freshmen Alexandria Rheaume and Sarah Rudge, and sophomore Emilie Mertz finished 12th in a time of 12:27.38.

"It was a very exciting first day for us today," said head coach Jennifer Potter. "Brandy, Beth and Taryn all bettered their positions they were seeded at coming into the championships. We are looking forward to tomorrow."

Ithaca is first in team points after Friday's session with 23.25 points with two more events to go tomorrow. Smith will compete in the shot put, while junior Taryn Cordani will enter in the 3.000-meter run.

Separate releases are posted on athletics.ithaca.edu, but to read about the national championships today for Taryn Cordani and Katherine Pitman, click on the following links. CORDANI | PITMAN