Asare Takes Ninth in Long Jump at NCAA Track & Field Championships

CANTON, N.Y. -- Wellesley College track & field first year Abena Asare (Berlin, N.J.) placed ninth overall in the Long Jump at the 2015 NCAA Division III Track & Field Championships at Saint Lawrence University. One of five first year student-athletes competing in the event, Asare made history for the Blue track & field program by becoming the first field athlete to compete at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. 

The 2015 New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Champion in the Long Jump, Asare delivered a leap of 5.31m on her first attempt before jumping to a mark of 5.64m on her second attempt. Asare would deliver one final jump of 5.34m in the opening round of jumps, however, her mark of 5.64m was good enough to put her in a tie for fourth place at the conclusion of the first flight. Asare dropped to ninth place following the second flight of competitors but her mark of 5.64m was still strong enough to advance her to the finals.  

In the final round of competition, the Wellesley first year delivered her best jump of the evening, and second best of the season, with a leap of 5.71m on her first attempt. Asare followed with a consistent 5.66m and 5.67m in her final two attempts before ultimately taking ninth place thanks to her opening jump of 5.71m.

Wellesley track & field will continue the 2015 NCAA Division III Track & Field Championships on Saturday evening at 4:05 PM when junior Priyanka Fouda (Wellesley, Mass.) and sophomore Mary Keenan (Boerne, Texas) compete in the 5,000m Run.