February 15, 2010

Rio's Mattia breaks own school record at DePauw

Greencastle, IN --- University of Rio Grande junior Cassie Mattia broke her own school record in the 600-meter run on Saturday at the DePauw Invitational and in so doing improved her standing in the event for the NAIA National Indoor Meet.

Mattia, a native of West Chester, OH, was the only RedStorm participant at the meet and finished runner-up in the 600 with a time of 1:38.98. She scored eight points in the process for Rio Grande which allowed them to finish 13^th as a team.

Mattia's time broke her own school mark in the 600, which she set at Findlay on January 30.  Her initial record-breaking time was 1:41.92. She qualified for the NAIA Indoor National Meet in Johnson City, TN, March 4-6 with that time and has no doubt improved her standing with the showing at DePauw over the weekend. 

Rio also had two performers at the All-Ohio Championships at Bowling Green State University on Saturday. 

Freshman thrower Kim Strunk (Milford, OH), one day after placing 3^rd at Kenyon College, finished 10^th overall in the shot put with a throw 39 feet, 5 ¾ inches. She improved her best throw by nearly two feet.

Sophomore Tracie Brown (Logan, OH) also competed at BG and finished 18^th in the shot put (31 feet, 4 ½ inches) and 17^th in the weight throw (37 feet, six inches). 

Rio Grande will be in competition next weekend (February 20) at the Kent State Tune Up Meet.