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Villanova women take aim at more Penn Relays success

Even Gina Procaccio concedes "it's hard to top last year," when Villanova won all three women's distance relays at the Penn Relays behind its wondrous anchor, Emily Lipari.

Villanova's Katherine Petruzzelis throws herself through the air during the long jump competition in the Penn Relays Women's Heptathlon. (Michael Bryant/Staff Photographer)
Villanova's Katherine Petruzzelis throws herself through the air during the long jump competition in the Penn Relays Women's Heptathlon. (Michael Bryant/Staff Photographer)Read more

Even Gina Procaccio concedes "it's hard to top last year," when Villanova won all three women's distance relays at the Penn Relays behind its wondrous anchor, Emily Lipari.

Lipari has moved on to the professional ranks, but that doesn't mean the Wildcats coach isn't going to send out her best runners at Franklin Field on Thursday for the distance medley relay championship, which her team has won three straight years.

"I think we can be just as competitive this year, maybe not in all three," Procaccio said. "We're excited to get going. We do have a couple of girls, it's their turn. You understand that when you go to Villanova."

The coach was referring to junior Angel Piccirillo and senior Stephanie Schappert, each of whom was a member of two winning relay teams last year. The Wildcats also have a strong freshman in Siofra Cleirigh Buttner of Ireland.

Stanford is considered the favorite in the DMR thanks in part to freshman Olivia Baker of Maplewood, N.J., who competed at the carnival the last two years for Columbia High School, running brilliant anchor legs in the 4x800 relay. Georgetown also is expected to be in the mix.

Also on Thursday, which offers a full day of competition in women's events and a night full of distance races, will be heats in the 4x100 and the 4x400 relays.

The Texas A&M Aggies won their sixth consecutive title last year in the women's 4x100 relay, and return another host of terrific sprinters. Their biggest challenge is expected to come from Oregon. Last weekend, the Ducks' Jenna Prandini tied for the fastest time in the world this season in the 100 meters with a time of 10.92 seconds.

A&M also is strong in the 4x400, but the team to beat there is Texas. The Longhorns set a carnival record in the 4x400 last year in 3 minutes, 25.05 seconds, and are coming off a national championship indoors in the event last month.

The men's races at the carnival begin on Friday, and Saturday features finals in a number of events along with the renewal of the popular USA vs. the World series, which features Olympic athletes from the United States, Jamaica, and other countries.

"The people who attend the Penn Relays are very enthusiastic about track and that is kind of a rehearsal for the national championships," Texas A&M coach Pat Henry said. "We want to see how our athletes respond, and that's why we go to a meet like this."