TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Junior Bethany Dumas (Augusta, Maine/Cony) qualified for three championship meets in the 400-meter hurdles to highlight the University of Southern Maine women's outdoor track and field team's performance Saturday at the Florida State University Relays.

            Dumas posted a time of 1 minute, 6.18 seconds to place 10th overall, and qualified for the New England Division III, NEICAA (Open New England) and ECAC Division III Championships in May.

            Sophomore Ariel Howes (Farmingdale, Maine/Hall-Dale) was one spot behind Dumas in 11th place with her time of 1:07.02, and qualified for the N.E. Division III and NEICAAA meets.  Classmate Molly Carl (York, Maine), who set a school record Friday in the 800 meters, placed 14th with an N.E. Division III qualifying time of 1:08.31.

            In the field events, four USM throws qualified for the N.E. Division III meet in the shot put.  Senior Vanessa Baird (Dover-Foxcroft, Maine/Foxcroft Academy) led the way with a personal best throw of 11.60 meters (38-0 3/4) to finish 14th.  Sophomore Jennifer Durham (Doylestown, Pa./Central Bucks West), junior Hannah Patterson (Londonderry, N.H.) and senior Rachel Fisk (Kennebunk, Maine) finished 17th (35-0 1/4), 18th (34-8 1/2), and 19th (34-3) to qualify for the N.E. Division III meet.  Durham's mark also qualified her for the ECAC Division III Championships.

            Senior Hillary Hall (Waldoboro, Maine/Medomak Valley) tied for eighth in the high jump clearing 1.55 meters (5-1) to qualify for the N.E. Division III meet.  Senior Erin Garvey (Haverhill, Mass.) had a personal best in the 1500 meters coming across the line in 4:58.07 to place 13th.

            Southern Maine travels to the Smith College Invitational next Saturday (11:00 a.m.).