Apr 2, 2014 By Tim Neral for The Yellow Jacket 3 min read

In a five-team competition at the Carnegie Mellon University Mini-Invitational Saturday, the women’s track and field ran and threw to a last place finish despite promising performances from a few standouts.

Senior Jamie Piotrowski finished in second place in the 3,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 12:32.74.

“When I started track two years ago, I wasn’t so much of an asset to this team, so it means a lot to be able to contribute to the team,” said Piotrowski.

Piotrowski was also on the 4×400-meter team along with seniors Bre Paul, Melissa Poach and freshman Kiana Weary, which ran to a fourth place finish with a time of 4:31.06.

“To do so well at such an early point in the season is something that is going to stick with me,” said Piotrowski.

“The women’s team is a group of fighters,” said head coach Jason Falvo. “They will not quit or back down. I love that about them.”

In the field events, junior Breanne Prinkey jumped to a fifth-place finish in the high jump and senior thrower Megan Sowers added another first-place finish to her résumé, as she took gold in the javelin with a 37.63-meter toss. She also finished sixth in the shot put with an 11.32-meter heave.

“I’m not where I want to be right now, but I also know it’s only the first meet of the season,” said Sowers. “This year, I really notice how everyone is coming closer together as a family.”

Flavo noted what it means to have a core of veterans on his young team.

“I think we have a total team effort when it comes to leadership,” said Falvo. “Each event area has leaders in it that are working hard together.”

Senior Rebecca Rapp also made her presence known by taking second in the discus with a throw of 38.35 meters, which qualified her for this year’s Eastern College Athletic Conference Championships.

The Jackets will continue to defend their Presidents’ Athletic Conference title Saturday, when they take on conference foe Bethany in Bethany, W.Va. The event’s start time is yet to be determined.

“Last year we took first in outdoor track, so that’s something I reflect back on whenever I’m getting ready for a race,” said Piotrowski. “All that is still possible. We’re all coming off that high from our championship last year and now we’re seeing if we can do it again.”