The women’s track and field team came home from Ohio with not one but two second place finishes from the National College Athlete Association indoor championships.
Senior Lauren Deas and sophomore Christiana Taylor were the representatives from Cabrini. Both qualified for the 55 meter dash, while Taylor also qualified for the long jump.
Their combined efforts were good for eighth place in the meet overall.
In her sixth championship meet, Deas finished her personal highest at the championships on day 2.
Despite coming into the meet ranked first overall, her time of 7.10 was good enough for second place in the 55- meter dash.
Though she posted a solid time in the event, it was not her fastest, and one could sense disappointment from Deas for her performance.
“It was my race to win, and it just didn’t turn out that way,” Deas said. “I am happy it was highest place finish, both in indoor and outdoor championship meets, but I really wanted to win.”
Deas actually maintained her first place ranking throughout the preliminaries leading up to the finals. She posted her personal best of 7.08 seconds in the qualifier for the final heat.
“Being ranked No. 1 going into the finals, I ran a little faster through each heat. I really thought I would win it.”
Christiana Taylor finished the 55 meter dash in eighth place overall.
In the first day of competition, Taylor finished second overall in the long jump event. She recorded a jump of 5.64 meters. Though a mere .22 meters away from first place, second was Taylor’s best finish in the championship meet thus far in her career.
With indoor behind them, both athletes are eager to return to the championship meet for outdoor track and field. Taylor has high hopes for a first place finish in the long jump event, while Deas hopes to qualify for the 100 and 200 meter dashes as well as the 4×1 and 4×4 relays.
Deas also has her eyes on sweet revenge, well aware that she will face Heidelburg College’s Judy Bataille, the 55 meter dash gold medal winner again in several outdoor events.
“Im getting that girl who beat me,” Deas said. “This is my senior year, and my last chance to win first. It’s mine.”
