April 9, 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 the second time this season, the league announced on Wednesday.

Rycek won the javelin throw at the Sam Howell Invitational, hosted by Princeton, this past weekend. She posted a distance of 139-11 to qualify for the ECAC Championships and to post the No. 2 mark in Bucknell history. She went on to finish 13th in the shot put (34-4)

To open the outdoor season, Rycek received her first Rookie of the Week honor for her finishes at the Maryland Invitational on March 29. Rycek placed third in the javelin throw at Maryland, posting an ECAC mark of 136-10, which was the No. 2 mark in Bucknell history at that time. 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 host the Bison Outdoor Classic this weekend, April 11-12, at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium, and will remain home the following weekend for the Bucknell Team Challenge on April 19.