Sports TRACK & FIELD henna Fatica breaks records ALEC ITALIANO sports editor Junior Jenna Fatica re-wrote the record books this past weekend as she broke two indi vidual track records in the three events she ran at Mt. Union. This earned her the En terprise Rent-A-Car athlete of the week award and an excel lent start to the indoor track and field season. "It is an honor to hold several records at Behrend," Fatica said. "It definitely proves that my hard work and dedication has paid off, and I hope to con tinue 'to improve on those records until I graduate." The track and field team trav eled to Mt. Union college for the Jim Wuske Invitational Sat urday. Fatica not only broke two school, meet and facility records, but took the gold in the event as well. The three events Fatica ran were the distance medley relay, the 500-meter dash, and the 4x4 relay. She started off her day running a split time of 2 minutes and 25.7 seconds in the distance medley, which set a new school record. She then went on to break a second school record in the 500 with a time of 1:20.61. She finished her day running in the 4x4 relay, placing second with her teammates. Fatica, a marketing major, dreams of getting involved with sports marketing at some point in her career. This is her third year running track for the Behrend Lions, but she is also a well-decorated cross-country SWIMMING & DIVING AMCC champlosnhip preview " - tie women's swimming and diving team em bark on defending their three-time AMCC title coming up next Wednesday. The Lady Lion swimmers are "going for year four," claims sophomore Julie Cook, who special izes in the 100 and 200-yard breaststroke, as well as the 50-yard free-stroke and relay. The women's swimming and diving team is as strong as years past, and of course, a team can always have more depth. The coaching staff, led by seven-year head coach Jen Wallace is very confident in their team this year. "They have come together as a team. They have more heart than any team that I have coached, and they care about this," Wallace said. The coach is refering to the upcoming AMCC Championships at Grove City, otherwise known as the Grove City Invitational. This championship, like all AMCC tournam nets, will make or break Behrend's season. "Our girls have the potential. I hate to make predictions. It will matter how we swim, and it's all a matter of how the cards fall," Wallace said. "But our heart and effort is there." Daniel Smith / The Behrend Beacon Junior Jenna Fatica looks to further her record-breaking success the NCAA tournament later this season. runner and has been a part of the All-AMCC team for the past two years. In high school, Fat ica placed fifth in the state in the 400 meter dash as well her senior year to add to her ath letic resume, and has been im proving ever since. "Each meet, I learn from my mistakes and what I can do bet ter at, and I set goals to correct them the next time I compete. Running is very mental, so it is Behrend is coming off of three straight losses Many on the team believe they will bounce back SEAN NEELY staff writer "We need to be close as a team, and continue to work hard. Our main goal is to be AMCC champs," said sophomore Julie Cook. Hard work and effort are what the women's swimming and diving team strive for. At the invitational, Behrend will compete against all teams in their AMCC conference first and then against PAC conference teams. As a team, Behrend goes in to the champi onship with perhaps less momentum than they want, but like the team, Coach Wallace is confi dent that "effort breeds results." The men's team is also working on taking their fourth straight AMCC title after winning two of their last three matches. One of these wins being against Mt. Union in home waters at the Junker Center. Notable players to look out for in the AMCC championship meet are senior diver Steve Graves and freshman Hunter Backenstose who both won the athlete-of-the-week award earlier in the season. Both the men's and women's teams ended with 5-6 records, but have history on their side as they travel down to Grove City next week. important for me to be as con fident as possible until the race starts," Fatica said. "Once the gun goes off, I trust my training and hope it will serve me well." This indoor season is ex tremely key for track athletes to stay in shape during the off sea son. However, there are a few differences between running indoors and outdoors. "The track length, which is 200 meters indoors and 400 meters outdoors, is one major difference," Fatica said. "Al though I, as well as the rest of the team, prefer to run out doors because of there being a 400 meter track and being in better shape since it is further into the season. It is always nice to not have to worry about running in bad weather during the indoor season." Track athletes train year round, even in a city as snowy as Erie. These runners stay in top shape from fall to spring and are constantly improving at their sport. "Not having an indoor track to train in everyday definitely comes with some disadvan tages and makes training a lot more difficult," Fatica said. "We are basically outside everyday until it's literally too dangerous to run, and we are forced to run on treadmills. We are used to this though, and if anything, this harsh weather makes us tougher competitors." Fatica will be looking to break more records at the NCAA championships coming up Feb. 27 at Rose-Hulman In stitute of Technology located in the state of Indiana. - 31 it Peach & Roth Rd. 864-9969 W.3Bth&Pittsbetgh 314-0286 6335 W. Riskin Rd. 835-119 1101 Peninsula Dr , 833-9888 3431 W. 26th St. 835-8013 BEHREND BEACON I 1 February 12, 2010 www.thebehrendbeacon.corn Sun -217 \ CC Bas Luxury Tanning Located onlminutes away from Behrend K-Mart Plaza Buffalo Rd. 899-9826
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