PITTSFORD, NY – The University of Rochester women's track and field team secured five All-Atlantic Region qualifying performances on day one of action at the Nazareth University D3 Elite Meet on Friday afternoon at the Golisano Training Center.
 
Four of the AARTFC qualifiers came in the 5000 meters, with Deziree Garrick hitting the standard in the weight throw as well.
 
In the first event of the on the track, the 'Jackets secured four of the top-7 results in the 5K, with each runner booking a regional qualifying time. Ella Blau led UR's group in third with a time of 18:31.23. Teammate Alicia Lawson was right behind in 18:32.76.
 
The pack running continued with Andie Burton who finished sixth in 18:36.11, with Riley Joseph crossing the finish seventh in less than half a second later (18:36.42).
 
All four of the top-4 runners in the 5K were big personal-bests. Blau topped her previous top time by more than 30 seconds, Burton and Joseph were 20 seconds better, while Lawson's PR shaved 15 seconds off her previous best time.
 
During the weight throw, Garrick notched Rochester's other top finish on the day, finishing fourth with a mark of 15.23 meters. Teammate Liv Ilasz was eighth after throwing 14.52 meters.
 
During the pole vault, first-year Abby Kopeck placed eight with a season-best vault of 3.18 meters. The only other top-10 on the evening was Ashleigh Barrett finishing tenth in the long jump with a leap of 5.10 meters.
 
Day two action begins on Saturday at 10 am with field events. Track events start on day two at approximately 10:45 am. The Nazareth meet is part of a split squad weekend for Rochester, with several other Yellowjackets taking part in events at the Boston U. Valentine Invitational on Saturday.