GWYNEDD VALLEY, Pa. – The Haverford College women's outdoor track & field team sent its sprinters to compete at the Gwynedd Mercy Mid-Week Twilight Meet on Wednesday. Haverford's night was highlighted by Jessica Lopez placing first in the 100 meters and finishing runner-up in the 200 meters.
In addition to winning the 100 meter finals, Lopez was the top qualifier in the heats. During the finals race, Lopez finished in a time of 12.73 seconds. That time was just seven-hundredths of a second off her personal best set just this past weekend and nearly a tenth of a second better than her preliminary time. Lopez also turned in the 10th quickest 200 meter time in school history as she finished second in that event with a time of 26.47 seconds.
Jasmine Reed also qualified for the finals of the 100 meter dash, placing fifth overall with a time of 13.41 seconds. That time was 11-hundredths of a second quicker than when she was eighth in the qualifying heats. Sharon Nwankpa made her collegiate debut as she placed 11th in the 100 meters (13.75 seconds) and 14th in the 200 meters (28.77 seconds). Classmate Naomi Fukuda was 11th in the 200 meters (28.40 seconds) and 13th in the 100 meter trials (13.75 seconds).
Ruanna Small also competed in two events for the Fords as she posted a pair of top 10 finishes. Small was seventh in the 400 meters (1:04.24) and ninth in the 200 meters (27.99 seconds). Louise Bednarik recorded a top 10 finish for the Fords with a time of 19 seconds in the 100 meter hurdles.
With just the sprinters in action on Wednesday, Haverford will see the majority of its athletes return to action and compete this Saturday at Widener's Chest Quarry Classic which is slated to get underway at 12 p.m.