WESTFIELD, Mass. 3/24/12 –  Keene State men's and women's track teams had several strong performances competing in their first out door meet of the seaon at the Fourth Annual Jerry Gravel Classic at Westfield State University  on Saturday.

The Owl women's squad finished in 6th place with 51.5 points, while the men's team took seventh with 55 poins.

Senior long distance runner Kevin Hoyt (Newtown, Conn.) and junior javelin thrower Glenn Guilmette (Kensington, N.H.) each took home victories in their respective events. Hoyt crossed the finish line in 15:04.62 to qualify for the ECAC Championships in the 5,000 meter race, while Guilmette heaved the javelin a personal best 208'-1'' to post a strong mark for the NCAA Championships in his season opener.

In other field events, sophomore Angus Fisher (Northampton, Mass.) and freshman Ben Keach (Newfields, N.H.) teamed up to finish second (139'-1'') and fourth (125'-5'') in the discus throw for the Owls.

On the track, junior Chris Plankey (Bristol, N.H.) finished fourth in the 1500 meter race in a time of 4:03.34.

For the women, freshman Melanie Escalante (New Canaan, Conn.) had the top finish in the 400 meter dash in a time of 1:01.16 and a second place finish.

Sophomore Kristen Huckins (Westmoreland, N.H.) qualified for ECAC Championships with a toss of 124'-1'' and a third place finish in the javelin throw. Freshman Nicole Marrero (Bristol, Conn.) also placed in the javelin, taking fifth with a toss of 110'-1''.

Also in the field events, juniors Whitney Cyr (Milford, Mass.) and Janel Haggerty (Guilford, Conn.) each placed third in their respective events. Cyr tossed the shot-put 35'-7.25'', while Haggerty cleared the bar at 4'-11.50'' in the high jump.

Also having a solid day on the track, senior Andrea Walsh (Bolton, Conn.) won fifth place in the 1500 meter race in a time of 4:58.43.

The Owls return to the track next weekend, as they will travel to Tufts University on Saturday, March 31st.