Dukes Finish Sixth At CAA Championships

Friday, May 3

Burlington, NC

James Madison University

CAA Championships

5/4/2019 5:52:00 PM | Track & Field

CAA 2019 Final Results Day One Recap

BURLINGTON, N.C. – James Madison track & field finished in sixth place at the CAA Track & Field Outdoor Championship. Four Dukes came away with a CAA title in their respective events.

CAA CHAMPIONS
Olivia Viparina started off JMU's day off with a bang. The senior ran her way right into a CAA individual title by winning the 3000m steeplechase. After the first lap, Viparina took the lead and never looked back in claiming her title.

Jantsen Wilson came into the meet wanting to take home a champion. The senior stepped up and set a new personal best mark of 12.97m (42'6.75") on the first jump. That would hold off to be triple jump title mark. Her mark also stands as the second farthest in JMU history.

Dominique Johnson won the discus with a 51.07m (167'7") throw. The senior battled through a couple fouls and on her last throw gave it everything she had to come away with a CAA title.

HEPTATHLON – CAA CHAMPION
Nicolette Serratore started the day off with a personal record long jump of 5.49m (18'0.25"). It was the second farthest jump of the 10-person event and bumped her back into third place.

Serratore then did what she does best and had the farthest javelin throw of 40.23m (132'0"). Her toss bumped her into second place with 4,014 points with just the 800m left.

The Lansdale, Pa. native went right in front in the 800m. She never gave up her lead and created distance with most of the group to win the event and push her to be the 2019 CAA Track & Field Heptathlon winner.

FIELD EVENTS
Sidra Morris and Dominique Johnson picked up points for the Dukes with their shot put throws. Morris landed herself in fifth place with her 14.10m (46'3.25") throw. Johnson was right behind her in sixth place with a13.49m (44'3.25") toss.

Jamie Richards set a new personal record of 42.53m in the discus throw for an 11th place finish in the event. Her throw is also now fifth farthest in JMU history, while also being an ECAC qualifier.

TRACK EVENTS
Erica Jackson, Averi Witt and Olivia Viparina took on the 1500m finals, earning their spots after Friday's performance. The 12 girls running stayed tight as a pack through the first lap, Jackson & Witt along with a small group broke away slightly in the final laps. Jackson battled down the stretch and came away with the bronze medal. Witt finished eighth to earn a point for JMU.

Anoush Stamm entered the 400m finals after earning her spot as one of the eight fastest on Friday. The freshman finished in 56.25 for a seventh-place finish.

Meredith Willis took to the track for her first running event in the 100m finals. She sprinted to a 12.03 time which landed her the silver medal in the event. Later in the day, Willis would finish second in the 200m finals. She was .02 off from winner Halima Scott of Delaware.

Jackson wrapped up her day in the 800m finals. The senior came away with a fourth-place finish in a competitive group. She finished in 2:10.22 just off her personal best mark in the race.

In the final event of the day, JMU took home fourth in the 4x400m relay. The squad of Stamm, Tally Lott, Tess Lee and Jordan Bourgeois battled with the top-three and came away with a new season-best time and time that is ninth fastest on the JMU All-Time list.

QUOTING COACH MCCOWN
What a day! These ladies competed with all they had today. Each Conference Champion has a special story. Nicolette battled through an injury and captures the victory after a great 800. Jantsen Wilson has a huge 1st jump to win the triple jump. Her mark will qualify her for the NCAA Regional meet. Dominique comes through on her last throw to win the discus title. Olivia comes in the favorite in the steeple and takes care of business. Erica Jackson continues her impressive season getting on the podium in the 1500 and coming back to get 4th in the 800. Meredith Willis runs very impressively in the 100 and the 200, getting a runner up finish in both. Sidra,Anoush,Averi and our 4x4(Anoush, Tally, Tess and Jordan) all contributed points today. I am proud of this team and the way they battled this weekend! Go Dukes!

UP NEXT
The Dukes will send a group to the ECAC Outdoor Track & Field Championship in Princeton, N.J. in the two-day event beginning on Saturday, May 11.