Zielinski sets records during successful meet

by Chris Nielsen assistant perspectives editor

In a period of about eight hours last Saturday, first-year runner Kristin Zielinski set three Cabrini College track records. Her performance was the highlight of last weekend's mostly successful, and very long, track meet at Franklin and Marshall University.

So far this season, much of the Cabrini's success can be attributed to the first-year women's runners.

The cream of the crop has been Zielinski, who now holds the Cabrini women's records in the 500 meter race, the lOOm., and the pole vault. She is Cabrini's first female pole vaulter.

By running a time of 1:24.55 in the 500, Zielinski not only won the race, but qualified for the Eastern Conference Athletic Championships, which will take place in

Boston in March.

She will be joined by first-year student Tiffany Corry, who has qualified in the long jump, and sophomore Shaun Hazlett, who has qualified in the 200.

Just as the Class of 2001 made up the majority of runners on the men's team, this year's freshman class makes up the majority of the women's team.

Twelve members of the women's team are first-year students.

The rookies have been ·forced to carry much of the team's load, due to injuries and other setbacks.

The PAC champion Lady Cavaliers have lost many members since the cross country season due to injuries, illness and members who choose not to compete in the indoor season.

Also, the sprint team has only one veteran runner, junior Harnirah Mobley.

The men's team has been having a solid season, though they have been at times undermanned. A shortage of short-distance runners has made the team unable to run a 4x200m relay this season, and there is no set 4x400m team.

The strongest points for the men so far this season have been Hazlett's success in the 200m race, and the long distance races, from the 800m to the 3,000m.

This season will also mark the last year runner and coach James Wtlliams will compete in a Cabrini uniform. After the completion of the indoor season, Williams will stay on as Cabrini's sprint coach before leaving next year to coach at Gwynedd-Mercy College.

After the meet, Williams was heard to remark on how the team has grown in his time at the college.

With the rapid increase in recruiting and interest in the team, the Cavs' success should continue in coming seasons.