KINGSTON, R.I.  -  Junior multi-athlete Tara Jessen (Signal Mountain, Tenn.) represented the Coast Guard Academy at the University of Rhode Island's annual season-opening pentathlon today. Jessen finished 14th out of 18 placing competitors, all of whom were Division I athletes, with an overall score of 2,625 points. Her result was an improvement on her performance from last year, as well as the third-best pentathlon showing in Coast Guard history.

Jessen opened the competition by setting a personal best in the 60-meter hurdles, crossing the finish line in 10.45 seconds. She then cleared a collegiate-best 1.36 meters (4'5.25") in the high jump before setting another personal best in the shot put with a throw of 8.73 meters (28'7.75"). Next up was the long jump, in which her best attempt of the day saw her leap 4.44 meters (14'7"). Jessen closed out the competition by placing as the runner-up in the 800-meter dash, clocking in at 2:32.26.

The Bears women's and men's track & field teams open their indoor seasons tomorrow, December 7th, at Boston University's aptly named Colyear-Danville Season Opener. Both teams will be competing against athletes from all levels of the NCAA, as well as amateur and club, from across the nation.