Villanova Adds Women’s 4 x 800 Title At The 2015 Penn Relays

PHILADELPHIA, PA. 4/25/2015 –  The last year’s relays the Villanova Women’s team swept the distance relay races. This year the Wildcats went two for two as they won the Women’s Distance Medley Relay and took the 4 x 800 Championship.  This was the third consecutive win in this race and the 12th all-time for the program.  Winning at the Penn Relays has significance for Villanova.

“It is incredible,” said senior Stephanie Schappert.  “I was pumped.  We put it on the line at Penn.  Our fan base in the corner is incredible.  You come around that turn and you hear the people chanting ‘let’s go ‘Nova’ it is super exciting.”

The Wildcats won this in workman-like fashion having the lead or being close for the entire race.  Villanova covered the distance in 8:26.36 beating Clemson who ran the race in 8:30.28.  The team consisted of Kelsey Margey (2:10.28), Stephanie Schappert (2:09.38), Siofra Cleirigh Buttner (2:07.83), and Angel Piccirillo (2:04.28).  Buttner handed the baton to Piccirillo with the lead, and the anchor increased it the entire leg to win comfortably.  This was the first time Piccirillo had the opportunity to anchor the team in a Penn Relays event, and the junior relished the moment.

“I just saw all my teammates working hard,” said Piccirillo.  “I saw Kelsey (Margey) come in with a lead and I was like ‘okay we’re set up to do well’.   It was a super competitive race, but I just knew I wanted to bring it home.  We wanted this four by eight really bad, and this is my first time anchoring at Penn.”

The Wildcats continue their winning ways at Franklin Field.  It is something the upper classmen know about. Margey and Piccirillo were members of last year’s team.  It is also something the freshman are learning about and enjoying. The newcomer, Buttner, explains her first Penn Relays experience as a Villanova runner.

“I remember last year and wanted to be a part of it,” Buttner said.  “I remember Thursday and how much I wanted to come back here Saturday,”

Results

Written By: Glenn Papazian

Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com

NOTES:

The University of Pennsylvania was a participant in the championship race.  The Red and Blue finished a respectable fifth posting a time of 8:40.63.  Running for the Quakers were Taylor Hennig (2:10.22), Candace Taylor (2:08.99), Carey Celata (2:09.73), and Ashley Montgomery (2:11.70).