SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Lesley University senior Coni Bernales (Santiago, Chile) capped her career with a strong performance at the NCAA Division III New England Regional meet hosted by Springfield College.
Bernales, who was the lone Lynx athlete to qualify for the meet and the first since to do so since 2014, competed in the long jump and finished 17th overall in a field of 34 jumpers.
The senior, who qualified with a jump of 5.03m at the UNH Invitational and then followed that performance with a leap of 5.07m at last week's Regis Pride Invite, turned in a top distance of 5.05m despite adverse conditions at today's event.
"Coni had a great day in some very tough championship conditions," said coach Aaron Nelson. "Despite the weather and her season-long, persistent injuries, she was able to overcome and really perform well. Not everyone takes advantage of championship opportunities, but we learned that she was made of tougher stuff, surpassing half the field and placing first out of her flight. The coaching staff is so proud of her and all the hard work she has done in such a short time to make herself ready to compete at this level."
Bernales improved on each of her three attempts, leaping 4.79m and 4.93m in her first two jumps of the day.