Sports Briefs

Author: Dickie Redmond

SALDANHA '11 EARNS STATUS AS ALL-AMERICAN RUNNER

Young track stars are galloping away from the pack at Middlebury College. Kaitlynn Saldanha '11 ran the 800 in an impressive 2:20.58, landing her eighth place at the NCAA Indoor Track Championships at the Rose-Hulman Institute in Indiana. As a result of her performance the sophomore dashed her way to an All-American title.

Saldanha broke the Middlebury College 800 record earlier in the year, clocking a 2:13.69 time in the qualifying race as she captured her second school record. She also holds the record for the 600 with a time of 1:38.38.

had an exceptional performance just a week earlier, claiming 17th place in her event at the ECAC's at Tuft's University with a time of 2:22.69.

DELANO '11 NAMED FIRST NESCAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Chase Delano '11 led the Panthers to a key victory for their season opener, earning her the honor of being the first NESCAC Player of the Week of the 2009 lacrosse season. The Greenwich, Ct. native netted an impressive six goals and two assists for the Panthers, who breezed by Bates 14-6. Delano helped her team get off to a strong start early in the game, scoring four of Middlebury's five first goals and contributing with three draw controls.

Delano is no stranger to being called NESCAC Player of the Week. The sophomore, who boasts dual varsity status as a member of both the lacrosse and field hockey teams, was named field hockey conference player of the week twice in the 2008 field hockey season, as well as being selected as a Division-III first-team All-American. As a rookie last spring, she helped navigate the lacrosse squad to NESCAC semifinals as well as Division-III NCAA regionals with solid offensive contributions.

With two more years and four more seasons remaining in her Middlebury career after this spring, the future is bright for Delano - and for Middlebury women's lacrosse. As for this spring, the Panthers should be confident in their chances at redeeming last year's NESCAC loss with Delano tearing up the field.

BLOOM '11 STANDS STRONG IN NESCAC CHAMPIONSHIP

Lexi Bloom '11 had a standout performance this past weekend at the NESCAC semifinal and final games. The sophomore goaltender rarely let the puck past her, saving a total of 73 out of 78 shots - a .936 save percentage - and earning her the NESCAC Player of the Week title for the second time this season.

Bloom rejected Colby 21 times on Saturday in the semifinals, providing a significant contribution as the Panthers skated over the Mules 4-2. She went on to turn away 52 Lord Jeff shots the next day - with 21 saves in the second period alone. The sophomore's brilliant defense played a crucial role in propelling the Panthers to a 4-3 OT win, helping them reclaim the 2009 Championship title at Amherst.

The Middlebury women look to continue their successful season this coming weekend in the eighth-annual NCAA Division-III Championship. Middlebury will host the Frozen Four tournament, playing in the semifinal contest on Saturday night against - who else? - the Amherst Lord Jeffs. If her performance against the Jeffs this past weekend is any indicator, Bloom is likely to provide her team with security in the defensive zone as she remains an intimidating presence in goal. This is the second time the Panthers will host the Frozen Four, and the odds look good for Middlebury - in 2004 the women skated to a Championship win on home ice at Kenyon.