NEW LONDON, Conn. (March 31, 2012) – Senior Miriam Larson-Koester led the Mount Holyoke College outdoor track and field team to a seventh place finish at the Coast Guard Academy Invitational today. A total of 11 teams from around the region participated in the competition.

In addition to recording a first place toss of 36.53 in the discus, Larson-Koester also grabbed third place in the shot put (10.71 meters) and seventh place in the hammer throw (33.97). She accounted for 18 of Mount Holyoke's 49 points.

The Lyons also received a boost from first year Anna Rapperport, who took home second place in the 400-meter dash with a time of 1:02.84. Classmate Meara Algama matched the feat, taking second place in the javelin with a throw of 30.24 meters.

Junior Maddie Ballon collected fourth place in the pole vault (2.45 meters), while junior Jillian London posted a fifth place performance in the javelin (28.19 meters).

Junior Connie Ward (shot put – 9.97 meters), first year Dana Fry (1,500-meter run – 5:21.09) and senior Holly Valenzuela (800-meter run – 2:29.81) chipped in with eighth place showings in their respective events.

Westfield State University ran away with the team title with 135.5 points. The Owls were followed by Coast Guard (95) and Connecticut College (84) in the top three.

Mount Holyoke is slated to take part in the Swanson Invitational at Wesleyan University next Saturday.