Amy Varsell
Amy Varsell

Varsell Wins Section at Raleigh Relays

RALEIGH, N.C. – Bentley University junior All-America Amy Varsell (Burlington, Conn./Lewis S. Mills HS) turned in another strong effort Friday evening when she won her section of the 1500 meters during the massive Raleigh Relays at North Carolina State University's Paul Derr Track.

Varsell improved on her personal best in the 5,000, set just a week ago, by 1.76 seconds with a New England-qualifying time of 4:37.21. She won her section comfortably, by nearly a full second, and was 29th of 63 overall in the event.  Of the 28 runners who posted a better time, 22 were from Division I institutions and two were competing for track clubs.

Four other Bentley women competed in the meet on Friday. Sophomore Ashley Nichols (Kenmore, Wash./Inglemoor HS) and senior Evelyn Marrero (Amsterdam, N.Y./Amsterdam HS) recorded 5,000-meter times of 19:12.99 and 19:34.46, respectively. Senior Maddy McDonnell (San Francisco, Calif./St. Ignasius Prep) was 37th of 66 in the 1500 in 5:06.80, and junior Caitlin Fahey (Bridgewater, Mass./Coyle-Cassidy HS) ran the 1500 in 4:52.35.

The meet, which attracted more than 2,000 athletes from over 80 colleges and universities and 20 track clubs, will continue on Saturday. Varsell is scheduled to run the 800, and the Bentley women will also be represented in the 4x800 meters.