HOUGHTON, NY – The Alfred University women's track & field team travelled to Houghton University on Saturday for the Houghton Highlander Invitational hosted at Burke Field.
 
A first place win for Natalya Ryckman (New Eagle, PA/Ringgold) was claimed in the hammer throw. Ryckman threw a furthest distance of 37.91m (124'-4") on her sixth attempt of the day, locking in her personal record. She increased her personal best by over two meters as her previous was a 35.76m (117'-4") mark.
 
Briana Dorr (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) won the shot put on Friday, sending the Saxons home with two field event victories. Her best mark was 10.33m (33'-10.75") to put her in first place, which set a new personal best for Dorr, breaking her previous best of 10.12m (33'-2.5").
 
McKenzie Hall (Hornell, NY/Hornell) competed in the 1,500-meter run. Hall ran a time of 5:08.49 where she placed fourth. Alivia Kocan (Hornell, NY/Arkport Central) ran alongside her, finishing 13th with 5:45.51.
 
In the 200-meter dash, three Saxons took places in the Top-8. Octavia Fred (Dunkirk, NY/Dunkirk) won the first heat with a time of 30.28, placing sixth overall. Zoe Rainville (Saranac, NY/Saranac) ran her race in 28.11 and placed second overall. Ryckman claimed fifth place at 30.06. Rainville also picked up a third place finish in the 400-meter dash, clocking in a time of 1:05.20, followed by Fred in fifth with a time of 1:09.79.
 
Annabelle Townsend (Woodsville, NH/Woodsville) also earned a second place finish on the day, running a time of 1:12.39 in the 400-meter hurdles, pushing a Houghton runner back to third place with their time of 1:12.63.
 
Anne Spila (Mechanicsburg, PA/Trinity) jumped her way into third place for the high jump. She cleared a height of 1.46m (4'-9.5").
 
"A strong showing today," Head Coach Matt Phillips '10 said, "It's been great to get two good meets in the month of March, which can be so unpredictable. We are very excited with what we've seen from the athletes this early in our season."
 
"Despite less than ideal weather conditions, the team was able to focus in and have some solid performances," Graduate Assistant Coach Emma Anderson said. "We're still early in the season and it's exciting to see that progress is already being made. And shoutout to our throws squad for a great day!"
 
The Alfred University Track & Field team will next travel to SUNY Geneseo on Friday, April 4 for a two-day meet.