Hopson to compete in Penn Relays
Sports Information Department – 112 Dods Hall
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Track & Field
(2009 Penn Relay Carnival website)
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -- Fredonia State senior thrower Julia Hopson (Poughkeepsie/Arlington) will compete Thursday morning in the 115th Penn Relays.
Hopson gained a spot in the renowned event, billed as the world's largest annual track and field meet, as one of 12 women in the hammerthrow and has been placed in the College Championship division. The event starts at 11 a.m.
"Julia attended the meet as a high school student and is excited about returning," Blue Devil head coach Liz Aldrich said. "The meet will be a great opportunity for her to face some of the top throwers in the country, mostly from (NCAA) Division I."
Held at Franklin Field on the University of Pennsylvania campus, this year's Relays has drawn over 1,200 teams, including some of the top collegiate programs in the nation, as well as top high school athletes and Olympic hopefuls.
Hopson has rewritten the Fredonia State women's throwing record book during her four seasons. She also has set SUNYAC and ECAC records leading up to a national championship -- the first-ever by a Fredonia State women's track and field athlete -- in the 20-pound weight throw at the 2009 NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field championship meet last month.
"It (the Penn Relays)," Aldrich said, "will prepare her for the big meet situation she will encounter again at outdoor nationals. It will also be nice to have Fredonia represented in such a prestigious event."