Wilmington’s Weather doesn’t Faze Team

NEW WILMINGTON, PA – It was a miserable day weather-wise for the Franciscan University track and field team, but that didn’t stop them from “Keep On, Keepin’ On” in the Westminster Invitational on Saturday. 

“What the team is bringing to the field of competition is tremendous,” head coach Vince Oliver noted.  “This team is a part of the transformation and foundation that this program is built on.  We experienced some brutal weather conditions, but they all still performed with smiles and upbeat focus in the competition.”

Once again, freshman Katherine Manion led the competition in the 5,000 meter run.  She performed with a time of 18:15.09, placing first in the event and coming in one minute and 15 seconds ahead of second place winner, Westminster College’s Elizabeth Beardsley.

Kailey Gotta showed an impressive display of perseverance through the weather and a water pit feature in the 3,000 meter steeplechase, inching a second past her competition to place third with a time of 12:56.53. 

Dubbing the 10,000 meter run his favorite event, Kevin Leroy placed second in the event with an impressive time of 35:27.61.  Leroy shaved almost a minute and a half off his previous personal record, and set a new school record for the event.  He will compete in this event next at the Sparky Adams Invitational at Baldwin Wallace College. 

“This team continues to inspire me as a coach, a father and a man,” said Oliver.  “I am humbled to lead them.”