Jones NCAA champ
GREENCASTLE, Ind. — St. Lawrence University senior Eric Jones completed this season one notch above where he finished last year: As a national champion.
A 2006 Watertown High School graduate, Jones recorded a throw of 19.13 meters (62 feet, 9.25 inches) Friday to win the championship in the weight throw during the NCAA Division III indoor track and field championships at DePauw University.
Jones, who improved upon his 2009 runner-up showing, out-threw 14 competitors on his way to the Saints' first national title in a field event since Rich Wright won the hammer throw in 1988.
The victory secured Jones's status as a two-time All-American. Last week during the ECAC championships, Jones set a school record with a throw of 19.31 meters.
PIRINELLI AN ALL-AMERICAN AGAIN
Alyssa Pirinelli also earned All-American status for the Saints — for the eighth time in her career — during the national championships at DePauw University, placing fifth in the weight throw with a distance of 17.63 meters (57-10 1/4).
Pirinelli will compete today for the title in the shot put. The senior North Tonawanda native may be the favorite in the event, having already registered the top throw this season in the country. Her Feb. 20 heave of 14.69 meters (48-2 1/2) is nearly a foot better than the second best throw owned by Wisconsin-Oshkosh's Jecel Gerner.
Wendy Pavlus is scheduled to compete for the Saints today, as well, in the championship race of the 5,000-meter run.
WOMEN'S LACROSSE
ST. LAWRENCE 15, SUNY FREDONIA 8
Kim Morse netted five goals for the Saints, who improved to 3-0 with a victory at West Palm Beach, Fla.
The Saints led by 5-3 at halftime, but registered five consecutive scores after the break on their way to a comfortable 10-3 lead.
BASEBALL, SOFTBALL RAINED OUT
Rain storms in Fort Myers, Fla. washed out action Friday for several local teams.
Clarkson's baseball doubleheader against the University of Pittsburgh-Greensburgh was canceled, as was a game between St. Lawrence University and Scranton.
The SLU softball team also had two games — against Carroll and Olivet — canceled due to rain.
