ECAC 5000 Meters Results
ECAC 1500 Meters Results
SPRINGFIELD, MA (May 14, 2010) – On the second and final day of racing at the ECAC Division III Track & Field Championships at Springfield College, a pair of Vassar College runners, sophomore
Elizabeth Forbes in the 5000 meters and freshman
Kelly Holmes in the 1500 meters, showed their mettle as cornerstones of the burgeoning program for the next few seasons.
Running in the 5000 meters, Forbes finished 8th in a crowded field of 17 runners that was separated by less than two minutes from top to bottom. Forbes finished in 18:26.71, just one second off her personal best. In an equally as crowded and competitive 1500 meters with 20 participants, Holmes finished 20th in 5:01.66.
The 1500 meters was run just as the skies broke free of clouds and a bright sunshine produced warm conditions. According to head coach
James McCowan, Forbes broke out quickly and was on pace to break 18 minutes, but the heat and the sun caught up with Forbes, albeit only one second off a personal best. Her 8th place finished garnered Vassar a point in the team rankings, the second time the Brewers earned a point in this face following
Johanna Spangler finishing 7th last year.
With Spangler earning 10 points in Friday's victory in the 10000 Meters and Forbes adding a point in the 500 meters, Vassar was in 24th place in team rankings after 19 events had been scored.
“Elizabeth had a big move with 800 meters to go and past a lot of runners,” said McCowan. “She held firm for the last 100 to 200 meters and was caught by a few runners at the finish. Elizabeth had a huge comeback season and given cooler conditions today would have been faster. Regardless, she had a phenomenal effort today and throughout the season.”
Holmes was grouped in a strong 1500 meters field and didn't have a breakout meet. “Kelly certainly has stronger races in her and today she wasn't at top form,” said McCowan. “It's fair to say she had an off day, but to qualify for the ECAC's as a freshman speaks to her ability. In only her first season she is already the school record holder in the 800 meters and 1500 meters.”
Next Thursday, May 20, provides an opportunity for several runners on the women's track team to compete in a Last Chance Meet at a variety of potential locations.
