April 26, 2004

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Four Northwestern runners took to the Franklin Field track this past weekend, competing in the 110th running of the prestigious Penn Relays.

Ali Vavas had the top finish among the Wildcat quartet. Competing Saturday morning in an eight-woman field in the Women's Olympic Development 5K Racewalk, the junior clocked 25:58.16 to finish fourth. The winner of the racewalk was Amber Antonia of the New York Athletic Club in 23:14.66.

Seniors Emily Blakeslee and Nora Colligan competed in the Women's College 3K Thursday night. Blakeslee finished just ahead of Colligan, in 15th place with a time of 9:58.80; Colligan was 16th in 10:03.28. The winner of that event was N.C. State's Julia Lucas, who finished first in a time of 9:26.78.

Finally, Diana Hossfeld competed in the Women's Olympic Development 5K race, also held Thursday night. The junior clocked 18:12.67, good for 28th place in the field. The winner, Orla O'Mahoney of the Boston Athletic Association, won with a time of 16:32.97.