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Princeton Track Update: Pan Am, World University, Euro U23 Games
July 30, 2015 | Women's Track and Field
It's certainly the season that never ends. Track & field. Just because it's summer doesn't mean the Tigers aren't going strong. Current and former members of the Princeton women's track & field team have been competing all over the world this month; at the Pan Am Games, World University Games and the European Under-23 Championships.
The World University Games took place in Gwangju City in South Korea on July 3-14 and the 
Tigers walked away with double bronze medals. Recent graduate Kim Mackay '15, a member of Team USA, competed in both the 800 and the 4x400 relay. After posting a 2:10.70 in the prelims of the 800, Mackay went on to to earn a bronze medal for her country in the relay. The relay clocked 3:37.20 as Mackay made up the third leg. Joined by Madeline Kopp (Duke), A'keyla Mitchell (Kansas State) and Alissa Matinez the relay finished third behind Poland (3:31.98) and Russia (3:32.46). Check out Mackay's photo gallery from the Games.
Julia Ratcliffe '17 earned a bronze medal in the hammer throw. She reached 67.54 on her third attempt to finish behind Azerbaijan's Hanna Skydan (70.67) and Poland's Joanna Fiodorow (69.69). Ratcliffe's six attempts were as follows: 64.80, 62.72. 67.54, 62.43, foul, 66.61.
Kim Mackay and Julia Ratclfife in Korea
Lizzie Bird '17 represented Great Britain at the European U23 Championships in Tallin, Estonia. The championships took place July 9-12. Bird reached the finals of the steeplechase after taking fourth in heat 1 at 10:03.69. In the finals she finished 12th at 10:04.42. The winner was Turkey's Tuğba Güvenç (9:36.14).
The Pan American Games recently wrapped up in Toronto, Canada. Bringing home a gold medal for USA was Ashley Higginson '11 in the steeplechase. Higginson PR'ed at 9:48.12 and set a Pan Am Games record. Higginson beat out Shayala Kipp, who won the NCAA title in 2012 as a member of Colorado. The duo ran at the front before Higginson took control with three laps remaining, with Kipp a stride behind. Higginson stretched out the lead with 700 meters remaining, and at the bell had a 10-meter margin that she maintained through the finish.
Liz Costello '09 ran the 10k final and took fourth. She finished the 25 laps in 32:53.52. The winner was Mexico's Brenda Flores at 32:41.33.
Sarah Cummings '11 competed in but did not finish the marathon. Cummings had a time of 1:21.15 at the halfway point and was at 1:37.12 at the 25km mark before she retired in the 30km. She was one of five that did not finish the 42.195km race.