Results

PRINCETON, N.J. - The mid-distance and distance squads of the Shippensburg University women's outdoor track and field team were in top form on Saturday afternoon at the Princeton Elite Meet from Weaver Stadium, as three Lady Raiders posted NCAA automatic qualifying marks in their respective events while another broke a 26-year-old PSAC record.

Junior Mary Dell achieved an automatic berth to the NCAA Division II National Championships in the 1,500-meter run with a second-place finish in 4:27.25. Dell's effort is the third-fastest time achieved in Division II this season and marks the second event that she has automatically qualified for this season in addition to the 3,00-meter steeplechase.

Fellow junior Abigail Huber was right behind Dell, posting a third-place time of 4:28.18 that also results in an automatic berth to nationals. Huber is also just one slot behind Dell among the top times in the nation to date, ranking fourth in Division II.

Sophomore Amanda Raudabaugh has gotten quicker every week in the 800-meter run and produced her fastest time to date on Saturday, setting a new school record and winning the event in 2:09.91. Raudabaugh also achieved an automatic qualifying time for the NCAA Division II National Championships and ranks fifth in Division II.

Not to be outdone, sophomore Neely Spence broke the 26-year-old PSAC record in the 3K, posting a time of 9:21.49 that also shattered Kathy Stec's 22-year-old school record by more than 21 seconds. The time reads two-tenths of a second short of Julie Bowers time in 1984, but that mark was a hand time upon conversion it is .05 seconds slower than Spence's effort on Saturday. The 3K is not contested at the national championships

Shippensburg split its squad this weekend, dispatching mid-distance, distance and throwing squads to Princeton while sending the sprinters, hurdlers and jumpers to Lock Haven for the Elliston Track and Field Invitational.

Among the highlights of the throws was a new season-best javelin throw of 129 feet, 4 inches by freshman Brittany Harlacker. Additionally, junior Emily Dubs recorded an NCAA provisional qualifying mark in the 800 meters with a time of 2:13.23.

Saturday's competition is the last for the Raider squad before the 2010 PSAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships begin on Thursday, May 13 from West Chester University. Select athletes may compete in a Last Chance Qualifier next weekend.

800-Meter Run
1. Amanda Raudabaugh (2:09.91; NCAA A; 5th in DII)
6. Emily Dubs (2:13.23; NCAA P; 19th in DII)

1,500-Meter Run
2. Mary Dell (4:27.25; NCAA A; 3rd in DII)
3. Abigail Huber (4:28.18; NCAA A; 4th in DII)

3,000-Meter Run
1. Neely Spence (9:21.49; SU record; PSAC record)
8. Katie Frey (10:25.29)

Shot Put
7. Margaret Merlie (35-10.75; 10.94m)
9. Sarah Brotzman (34-05.75; 10.51m)

Discus Throw
5. Sarah Brotzman (133-07; 40.72m)

Javelin Throw
2. Brittany Harlacker (129-04; 39.42m; season-best)
5. Margaret Merlie (117-05; 35.78m)
6. Jillian Weikel (117-00; 35.67m)