From NYU Athletics

The New York University women's track & field team opened its indoor season at the Ramapo Season Opener on Friday, January 13, at the Armory in Manhattan.

Dana Placentra began her senior campaign by capturing third place in the pole vault with a career-best height of 3.25m. 

"Starting off the season with a personal best is a great sign," said Head Coach Erison Hurtault. "Dana is eying those top spots in the UAA."

On the the track, sophomore Anastasia Filimontseva took fifth in the 800m, recording a time of 2:24.34. Senior Wendy He followed behind in 14th with a time of 2:32.80.

In the final event of the meet, the Violets' 4x400m relay A team (sophomore Mimi Conti, junior Ireland Gibson, freshman Evelyn Nkanga, sophomore Samantha Scoggins) captured fifth with a time of 4:04.87.

"I think they all had solid starts," Hurtault said. "This part of the season is about just getting used to racing again." 

HIGHLIGHTS:

- In the mile, junior Megan Davis posted a personal-best time of 5:30.37 to take sixth. Freshman Sidney Williams (5:42.89) placed 12th to finish just ahead of 14th-place senior teammate Chey Watts (5:44.37).

- Junior Lara Dorsky finished fourth in the 5,000m by registering a personal-best time of 19:14.61.

- Conti also set a personal-best time (26.70) in the 200m dash to land in 13th place. Nkanga finished 29th, clocking a time of 27.77.

- Senior Erica Bohdan finished the 3,000m in eighth, recording time of 11:10.49. Finishing in succession were juniors Hannah Haley (11:20.37) and Morel Malcolm (11:25.39), and freshman Isabella Steains (11:27.36) in 11th, 12th and 13th, respectively.

- Overall, the Violets compiled 23 points for a 10th-place finish in the 20-team competition.

"Next week is a second step in the season," Hurtault explained. "Hopefully, everyone takes that next step. There is no rush here. We have plenty of time. It is just the idea that we just want to keep making progress."