April 1, 2008

LEWISBURG, Pa. - Freshman Laura Rycek (Northamton, Pa./Northampton Area) of the Bucknell women's track and field team was named Patriot League Rookie of the Week for her performance at the Maryland Invitational this past weekend, the league announced on Tuesday. As the Bison opened the 2008 outdoor season in College Park, Md. on March 29, Rycek qualified for the ECAC Championships and inked her name in Bucknell's record books.

At her first collegiate outdoor meet, Rycek placed third in the javelin throw. She posted an ECAC provisional distance of 136-10 to place herself second on Bucknell's all-time list for the event. Additionally, Rycek recorded a 12th-place finish in the shot put with a distance of 35-9 ¼.

Rycek competed in the shot put indoors, ending the season with a 15th-place finish (36-10 ½) at the Patriot League Championships, Feb. 22-24, where the Bison women took first overall. Her season best in the shot put came at the Bucknell Winter Classic on Feb. 9, where she threw a distance of 36-10 ½ for sixth place.

The Bucknell women's track and field team is now set to send athletes to both the Auburn Invitational and the Princeton Invitational this weekend, April 4-5. The Orange and Blue will then host the Bison Outdoor Classic the following weekend, April 11-12.