Winston-Salem, N.C. (March 18, 2011)--The Mount St. Mary's men's and women's track and field teams opened the 2011 season at the Wake Forest Open on Friday.

On the women's side, Allison Vanek finished in third place in the pole vault with a mark of 3.45m. Chantel Lipkins was seventh in the triple jump (11.51m), Madeleine Midles eighth in the hammer throw (47.91m), Lily Otu was eighth in the 400m dash (56.63), Megan Kinsella ninth in the 5000m run (18:31.95) and Desiree Scott ninth in the 5000m run (18:31.95).

Ashley DeCruise qualified for the finals in the 100m dash as well. DeCruise had the second fastest time in the preliminaries at 12.04 seconds.

On the men's side, Gigi Gibilisco was seventh in the 400m dash (48.38) while Tom FitzSimons was right behind in eighth place (48.39). Dylan Bernard was fourth in the 5000m run (15:16.53) with Steven Ha placing seventh in the triple jump (14.11m).

Chad Brown qualified for the finals in the 100m dash with the eighth-fastest time in the preliminaries (10.78) while FitzSimons qualified for the finals in the 110m hurdles with a mark of 15.02 seconds.

The meet concludes tomorrow.