BOSTON – The University of Rochester women's track and field team turned in a terrific effort on day two of the Boston University David Hemery Valentine Invitational, piling up a school record, three NCAA top-20 marks and several personal-bests and All-Atlantic Regional qualifying performances.
 
Leading the way among the nine athletes competing was senior Megan Bell who broke her own school record in the 800 meters, finishing 27th in a mostly Division I field of 217 runners. Bell crossed the finish in 2:07.95 to smash her previous school best of 2:09.50, set earlier this season.
 
Her Saturday time puts Bell atop the Division III performance list this season and now ranks seventh fastest all-time in NCAA Division III history indoors.
 
Bell and three teammates capped an outstanding day by running the 4x400 meter relay in 3:49.20, finishing 12th among 36 schools in the event. The relay consisted of Eva Ciuffetelli, Nora Chen and Raquella Casserino in addition to Bell.
 
The relay time is a new season-best for the 'Jackets and ranks #4 in Division III so far in the 2024-25 campaign.
 
Chen also had a solid result in her individual event, finishing 5th among 109 runners in the open 400 meter event. Chen's time of 57.11 seconds was a new personal-best, regional qualifier and ranks #19 on the NCAA Division III performance list.
 
Ciuffetelli joined Chen in the 400 meters and hit a regional qualifier in 59.34 seconds, placing 45th.
 
Others in the 800 meters were Emily Dill and Rita Sciortino. Dill crossed the stripe in 2:21.00, a new PR and AARTFC time, while Sciortino stopped the clock at 2:23.51.
 
UR also had three runners in the mile run, with Ellie Ponko leading the way with a time of 5:13.24. That regional time established a new personal-best for the senior by about eight seconds. Teammate Sab Lin also hit a PR, besting their previous top time by 14 seconds, finishing in 5:14.93. Maria Khalifeh finished in 5:27.49 as the third 'Jacket runner.
 
The Yellowjackets next take to the track at the Nazareth University Conference Tune-Up next Friday afternoon, with the meet starting at 4 pm.