Every spring, younglings must leave the comforts of the nest and fly with their own wings. Such was the case for the Demon Deacon women's track team, who despite being laced with underclassmen, found their wings just in time for the ACC Championships, which took place from April 19-20 in Charlottesville, Va.

The Deacs finished eighth in the meet. They saw one sophomore - Jamie Grayzer - capture an ACC Championship and another super soph - Nikeya Green - provisionally qualify for the upcoming NCAA Championships.

After all was said and done, "It was a really outstanding meet and we feel like we are moving forward," Director of Track and Field Annie Schweitzer-Bennett said.

Grayzer led the Deacon charge by capturing the ACC Title in the heptathlon. Junior Jill Kovalck and senior Rachel Burns also competed in the heptathlon, finishing sixth and seventh, respectively.

"She (Grayzer) was real positive," Schweitzer-Bennett said.

"She kept challenging herself and she just went out there and won the championship."

Green, she of blazing speed, left Charlottesville with some glory yet to claim. She provisionally qualified for the NCAAs in the 800 meters with the burning time of 2:07:49, finishing fourth overall. Junior Adralyn Wendel also ran the 800 meters, setting a personal record and finishing in eighth place. Another sophomore, Carol Merritt, placed eighth in the 400 meters with a time of :55:39. "Carol ran tough," Schweitzer-Bennett said. "It was a great learning experience for a young sophomore."

The steeplechase, the most infamous races of all, saw freshman Jackie Muscente come in seventh place with a time of 1:03:76. Another frosh, Anne Bersagel, paced the Deacon distance squad with a ninth place showing in the 1,500 meters, finishing with a time of 4:30:76. Senior Sandra Jenkins carried the Deacon field sqaud, scoring ninth in the shot put event, hurling a 45'2.25".