ORLANDO, Fla. (3/22/13) – Freshman Julia Ratcliffe set an Ivy League record in the hammer throw as the Princeton women's track & field team opened the 2013 outdoor season today. The Tigers competed at the University of Central Florida at the conclusion of a week-long spring training trip.

Ratcliffe threw to 63.99 (209-11) on her third attempt. All five of her throws were over 61.50. She threw better than 28 competitors, including the national runner-up, Brittany Smith of Illinois State. Smith was second behind Ratcliffe, as the senior threw to 63.89 (209-7).

A native of Hamilton, New Zealand, Ratcliffe also set the Ivy League record in her first indoor meet in the weight throw.B efore enrolling at Princeton, Ratcliffe placed fourth at the World Junior Championships in 2012 with a personal best of 67.00 meters.

The previous Ivy record was 202-11 set in 2011; while the previous school record was 194-4 recorded by Emma Ruggerio in 2011.