Phillips Finishes as Runner-Up to Shaffer in Heptathlon

Freshman Sets New School Record with Total of 3,985 Points

GRANTHAM, Pa. — Goucher's Destiny Phillips (Washington, D.C./Dunbar) finished in second place behind Angela Shaffer from Juniata in the women's heptathlon at the Messiah Invitational today.

Philips scored 1,534 points in today's three events, which when added to the 2,451 points she earned in the first four events on Thursday gave her a total of 3,985 points for the competition. Shaffer had a 113-point lead over Phillips heading into today, but her final margin of victory over the freshman was reduced to 57 points.

The competition resumed today with the long jump. Phillips registered the top performance among the 13 entrants with a distance of 16'10 1/2".

The javelin followed and Phillips' best effort was measured at 62'8".

The seven-event competition concluded with the 800-meter run where Phillips was clocked at 2:32.29, which was the second-fastest time turned in by any of the competitors.

On Thursday, Phillips posted the fastest times in the 100-meter hurdles (:15.41) and the 200-meter dash (:26.80). Only one competitor out-performed her in the shot put, which she tossed 29'6", and she cleared 4'5 1/2" in the high jump.

By scoring 3,985 points, Phillips broke the school record for points in a heptathlon. The former record of 3,151 points was established by Dayna Mizzer at the 2008 Messiah Invitational.

(more to come)