Track and Field

ROSEVILLE, Calif. – Senior Sam Ruggles won the shot put and discus and sophomore Elizabeth Hennessy took the 300m hurdles and Ariane Arndt won the 400 meters as St. Francis placed third at the Glenn Poole Invitational at Oakmont High School on Saturday.

Ruggles won the discus with a meet record and personal-best throw of 119-1, while winning the shot put in her signature event with a best mark of 37-2.5. Hennessy clocked a 46.92 to break the 47-second barrier for the second consecutive meet.

Arndt won the 400 meters in 57.60 to continue her outstanding season.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – St. Francis senior Sydney Hunter has always wanted to extend her track career into college. After receiving an offer from UC Riverside, she will sign with the Highlanders to run track next fall.

“I can’t imagine my life without track so I am very excited,” said Hunter. “Ever since I was seven I wanted to run track in college. I will run for as long as my body allows me to run track.”

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Senior thrower Samantha Ruggles will continue her throwing career at UC Santa Barbara next year.

“I visited about a month ago and I really liked it there,” said Ruggles. “It was my favorite. It is what I want for academics and throwing. I really like the coach. It was the best fit.”

Ruggles recently finished ninth at the Stanford Invitational.

“I was excited because I had not made them (finals) before in my third year in the meet,” said Ruggles. “It was fun and I am happy to make the final.”

ELK GROVE, Calif. – The St. Francis track team won six events in sweeping its dual meet against Sheldon and Davis on Wednesday.

The Troubadours got two wins by Ariane Arndt in the 400 meters (58.95) and 800 meters (2:22.63). Sophomore Elizabeth Hennessy won the 300m hurdles in 47.60 and set a personal-best in the 100m hurdles in 16.86 to break the 17-second mark for the first time.

In the distance events, Chase Worthen won the 3200 meters in 11:45.01, while Peyton Bilo captured the 1600 meters in 5:22.05.

PALO ALTO, Calif. – The Stanford Invitational will always be a special meet for Peyton Bilo and Friday it was a milestone day for several reasons. The St. Francis senior committed to run for Cal Poly following her strong performance in the 3,000 meters, calling the coach from the track to make her decision official.

ELK GROVE, Calif. – The St. Francis Track and Field team won their first league meet on Wednesday in a dual meet against Monterey Trail and Grant High School. The Troubadours came out strong in their first league meet of the season, taking the first step towards defending their section title.

Two Troubies, senior Peyton Bilo and sophomore Elizabeth Hennessey, won two individual events each. Hennessy took first place in both the 100 meter and 300 meter hurdles. Bilo also scored meet points for the Troubadours by winning the 800 meter and 1600 meters.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Senior cross country and distance standout Miranda Myers has committed to run at Northern Arizona next fall.

“I am really excited,” said Myers, who will sign officially on Wednesday. “I just got back from an official visit over the weekend. I am really pumped. The team was really nice and the weather is perfect. They have a really good education program. It is going to be a great atmosphere and environment to train in for my running.”