RAMS DON’T LET WEATHER SLOW THEM DOWN AT BOSTON’S VALENTINE INVITATIONAL

BOSTON, Mass. – "Can't Stop, Won't Stop" is the title of popular rap group, Young Gunz.

That also may be adopted as the motto for the Virginia Commonwealth University women's track & field team as the Rams did not allow a record breaking snowfall to slow down their indoor season with an outstanding showing at Boston University's Valentine Invitational.

"We desperately needed a meet like this," Head Coach Jon Riley said. "We had another tough week of practice because of the weather affecting our training plans, but our athletes didn't let that hinder their results. They continue to show the coaching staff how bad they want it, because they have shown up and worked their butts off regardless of the conditions."

Overall, the Black & Gold broke two school records, posted eight personal bests and six top-five finishes at the prestigious meet.

Leading the way once again was junior Quina Fortune (New Orleans, La.) who broke her own school record in the 200-meter with a time of 24.50. It was the second time this year that the third-year standout has broken that record.

Fortune wasn't done as she joined senior Whitney Key (Goochland, Va.) and sophomores Jazlynn Finney (Leesburg, Va.) and Rachel Montague (Marlton, N.J.) in a record-breaking 4x400 meter relay, clocking in at 3:51.99, good for second place in the event.

The Rams also had a strong showing in the field with freshmen twins Jaleesa and Jessica Williams (Virginia Beach, Va.), joining sophomore Samantha Mosley (Farmville, Va.) in the top-five in the shot put. The trio grabbed third-fifth places respectively with Jessica Williams posting a personal best with a toss of 41' 11 ½".

Other athletes with strong showings were freshman Dionna Hayes (Bowie, Md.), who placed second in the 55-meter dash, sophomore Stephanie Newing (Virginia Beach, Va.) with a personal best of 10' 11 ¾" in the pole vault and sophomore Nicole Walters (Orange, Va.) in the 800-meter with a time of 1:16.08.

The Rams return to action next week when they travel west to take part in the Virginia Tech Last Chance Meet, beginning on Friday, Feb. 19th.