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University of Rochester Athletics

UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER YELLOWJACKETS
Susan Bansbach
D3Photography.com
Bansbach is top-5 in Division III in two events after Saturday.

'Jackets Post Terrific Results At Duke Invitational

4/8/2023 7:10:00 PM

By: Scott Sabocheck, Director of Athletic Communications
DURHAM, NC – Wet and rainy conditions and Division I competition didn't slow down the University of Rochester women's track and field team on Saturday, as several members of the team competed at Duke University Invitational.
 
Six athletes competed over the weekend, with all six combining for seven All-Atlantic Regional qualifying performances and three top-15 NCAA Division III marks thus far during the outdoor season.
 
Senior Susan Bansbach was a part of two of those top-15 times, running to a fifth place finish in the 400 meters in 56.24 seconds, a time which now ranks #3 in Division III in 2023.
 
Joining Bansbach in the 400 meters were Madeline O'Connell, Megan Bell and Kristin Hardy, all who broke the one minute mark. O'Connell finished in 58.16 seconds to finish 15th, Bell clocked in at 58.48 seconds, ranking 18th, while Hardy placed 24th in 59.94 seconds. O'Connell's time puts her 15th in Division III this season.
 
Later in the day, the team of O'Connell, Kate Isaac, Bell and Bansbach earned a victory over multiple Division I teams in the 4x400 meter relay. The indoor national champion quartet posted a time of 3:53.88, a time which is currently number three across Division III.
 
Issac also competed in the 100 meters earlier in the day, running a new personal-best time of 12.59 seconds, another regional qualifier, placing 15th. Ashley Heffernan also ran to a 15th place result in the 100 meter hurdles, finishing with a time of 15.46 seconds, qualifying for the regional meet later this season.
 
Poor weather on Friday afternoon and evening forced the Yellowjackets to pull some individuals out of events at the multi-day competition, with only O'Connell competing on Friday in the pole vault. The senior school record holder unfortunately did not record a height in her three attempts during the competition.
 
Next weekend, Rochester will again compete as a split squad, with several individuals competing at the Bucknell Bison Classic on Saturday and Sunday, with the rest of the squad heading to SUNY Brockport on Saturday afternoon.