Runners earn 5 top 5 finishes at Moravian; look forward to Penn Relay opportunities

NICK PITTS ASST SPORTS EDITOR

NDP722@CABRINI EDU

The conditions were “hot as Hades,” at the Greyhound Invitational, held at Moravian College. But that didn’t stop the women’s track team from earning five top five finishes on Saturday, April 19.

Leading the way once again was senior star Lauren Deas, who earned her first gold medal of the outdoor season in the 100-meter dash. Her time of 12.08 seconds was more than good enough for first place.

The time also qualifies her for the National College Athletic Association championships.

However, Deas showed must dissatisfaction in her performance.

“It is still only good enough for No. 3 in the nation,” Deas said, while performing a workout in the Dixon Center pool.

Both her and freshman teammate Dana Nardello were working hard in the pool in preparation for upcoming meets.

Even during water running, the two seemed competitive.

“At least I can beat her in the pool,” Nardello said.

The team’s only day off was Sunday.

Nardello placed twelfth overall with a time of 2.25 in the 800-meter run.

“It’s not bad since I haven’t been training for the 800-meter much,” Nardello said. “I was running at least two seconds faster during the indoor season.”

Nardello also mentioned that the weather might have af- fected her overall performance.

“It was so hot. Not very good conditions for a poor pale white girl.”

It seems as though she overcame the weather along with the rest of her fellow relay runners. The 4X100 meter relay team of Deas, Narello, Christiana Taylor and Leslie Williams came in second place overall, with a time of 47.88 seconds.

Sophomore Christiana Taylor and junior Leslie Williams also competed well in Saturday’s meet.

Williams finished in second place in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 64.65 seconds. Taylor ran the 100-meter dash in a time of 12.31, just .23 seconds behind teammate Deas, but in third place.

“We are hoping for a better 4X100 meter time so that we