KUTZTOWN, PA (May 11, 2010) -- The Kutztown University women's track and field team is sixth in the latest Atlantic Region rankings released by the United States Track and Field and Cross-Country Coaches' Association (USTFCCCA) Tuesday afternoon.

Kutztown maintains the sixth spot for the second consecutive week. The Golden Bears are ranked behind Shippensburg (No. 1), Slippery Rock (No. 2), Saint Augustine's (No. 3), Indiana, Pa. (No. 4) and Johnson C. Smith (No. 5). Ranked behind the Golden Bears are East Stroudsburg (No. 7), Bowie State (No. 8), Wheeling Jesuit (No. 9) and West Virginia Wesleyan (No. 10).

The Golden Bears had a strong finish over the weekend, when they hosted the Last Chance Qualifier meet on Saturday. Kutztown had seven first place finishes.

Ashley Pinter (Bethlehem/Liberty) won the hammer throw, throwing 164 feet, 4 inches, improving her NCAA provisional distance by more than a foot. Pinter also earned her season best in the discus throw when she threw 140 feet for first place. Christina Costanzo (Philadelphia/Archbishop Ryan) won both jumping events, leaping 16-2 the long jump and 35-9 in the triple jump. April Doyle (Greenfield Twp., PA/Lakeland) threw the shot put 45-11, improving her NCAA provisional effort. Alex Sable (Lansdale/Gwynedd Mercy) won the pole vault with a clearance of 10-4.

On the track, Sarah Messner (Maple Glen/Upper Dublin) was victorious in the 100-meter dash (12.75 seconds). Brooke Mathews (Reedsville, PA/Indian Valley) sprinted to first place in the 200-meter dash (26.62). Keri Brown (Southampton, N.J./Seneca) won the 800-meter run in 2 minutes, 19.17 seconds.  Lynn Lisofsky (Wilkes Barre/James M. Coughlin) prevailed in the 400-meter hurdles (1:05.15).

Kristen Slack (Royersford/Spring-Ford), Matthews, and Shante Grayer (Allentown/William Allen), Messner finished second in the 4x100 relay in 50.17.

Kutztown will compete at the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference championships at West Chester University beginning Thursday afternoon.

The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) is the non-profit professional organization that represents men's and women's cross country and track & field coaches in the United States. The organization represents over 8,000 coaching members, including 93% of NCAA track & field coaches. USTFCCCA serves as an advocate for cross country and track & field coaches, providing a leadership structure to assist the needs of a diverse membership, serving as a lobbyist for coaches' interests, and working as a liaison between the various stakeholders in the sports of cross country and track & field.

--KU--