Big East Conference Meet Highlights:Lipari, Ellison & Women's 4x800 are Big East Champions

Emily Lipari took the 1500

The Big East conference outdoor championships came just a week after the Penn Relays and, frankly, seem to pale in comparison.  Villanova has always placed a premium on the Penn Relays, while the conference meet serves as a preparatory meet anticipating NCAA regionals.  That being said, the Villanova athletes competed well this past weekend, with some fine times and marks achieved.

Villanova won three Big East conference championships: Emily Lipari (4:24.25) won a tight women's 1500 meters, while Sam Ellison (1:49.90) defended his 2012 title over 800 meters.  Coming off an NCAA record 4x800 performance at the Penn Relays, the Villanova women waltzed to a comfortable conference win in that event.  The quartet of Stephanie Schappert, Ariann Neutts (replacing Angel Piccirillo off the Penn Relays squad), Nicky Akande, and Emily Lipari outclassed the rest of the competition to win by almost 10 seconds, in 8:34.23.

In other noteworthy efforts, Jordy Williamsz (3:47.83) and Rob Denault (3:48.53) came 2-3 in the men's 1500 meters.  Angel Piccirillo (4:25.56) and Stephanie Schappert (4:26.17) finished 3-5 in the women's 1500 meters won by Emily Lipari.  Defending Big East champion Sam McEntee (14:33.37) came 5th in the men's 5000 meters.

Jordy Williamsz (r) and Rob Denault (l) finished 2nd and 3rd in the 1500 meters