Shannon KeoughFreshman Danica Giddens marked her second appearance of the season at the New York City Armory in the elite-level of the New Balance Collegiate Invitational.
Giddens was the only member of the team to qualify for Cabrini. Both the men’s and women’s track and field team were scheduled to compete in another event on Saturday, Feb. 6, the Ursinus Colden Invitational, but it was canceled due to the inclement weather.
“Another runner, Nadia Hernandez, was supposed to run with Danica but she was unfortunetly hurt and could not attend the Invitational,” Thomas O’Hora, track team coach, said.
Giddens qualified for the New Balance Collegiate Invitational by finishing ninth place with a time of 7.95 seconds in her last appearance at the New York City Armory on Jan. 15 in the New York City Gotham Cup.
The five-foot freshman competed in the 200-yard dash finishing with a time of 27.15 seconds. The time was Giddens second best finishing time of the season. Her top time was performed at the Ursinus College Winter Invitational on Dec. 5 with a time of 27.05 seconds.
“I don’t think that being the only runner from Cabrini added any stress. It was only stressful enough, however, knowing that she was going against great runners plus the factor of being a freshman,” O’Hora said.
Giddens finished 37th overall on Friday in the 60-meter dash with a time of 8.01 seconds.
Very few District III runners were selected to be invited to the Invitational.
“Danica was running with some of the best runners in the country,” O’Hora said.
Danica has never had the opportunity to run at this high level before.
Overall, Giddens completed a well-performed race.
“Her career could go a long way here in the next four years. She is just about where All-American Lauren Deas was at this stage. It will be up to Danica to see if she is willing to work hard to achieve the same level as her,” O’Hora said.
