Vance Finishes 15th at NCAA Championships

Sarah Vance

FAYETTEVILLE, AR – University at Buffalo senior Sarah Vance (Lockport, NY/Lockport) placed 15th in a field of 17 athletes in the shot put competition at the 2007 NCAA Women’s Indoor Track and Field Championships on Friday afternoon at the Randall Tyson Indoor Track Center at the University of Arkansas.

Vance had her best toss on the first of her three attempts in her heat with a throw of 49-3 (15.01m). Vance appeared to eclipse that mark with her second attempt but was ruled that she had fouled on the attempt. Her third throw also resulted in a foul. After three throws, the top nine athletes from the event’s two heats moved into the final round of competition.

With her 15th-place finish, Vance moved up from the 16th-place spot that she held heading into the competition, based on the season’s best throws. The country’s top 17 throwers were included in the NCAA field. Vance set the UB record with a toss of 52-8.75 (16.07m) to win at the Penn State National Meet on January 27 giving her a spot in the NCAA Championship field.

Sarah Vance

Arizona State sophomore Sarah Stevens won the championship with a toss of 59-7 (18.16m), edging out defending champion Michelle Carter of Texas by an inch and a half. Carter finished at 59-5.50 (18.12m).

Vance finished ahead of Alabama senior Aymara Albury (47-6.50/14.49m) and Akron sophomore and Mid-American Conference rival Stevi Large (46-9/14.25m). Niagara Falls native Brittany Pryor, now at Virginia Tech, reached the finals and placed seventh overall with a throw of 53-7.75 (16.35m).

“It was a great experience for her,” said women’s track and field head coach Vicki Mitchell. “She was pretty anxious, pretty excited, but also a little nervous.”

With the indoor season now complete for the Bulls, the squads head into the outdoor track and field season which begins next weekend with the Seahawk Invitational in Wilmington, NC. Vance is expected to compete in the outdoor shot put and hammer throws.

“We’ll see if she can take something out of this for the outdoor season,” said Mitchell.