PHILADELPHIA -- Casey Bennett (right) placed fifth in the pole vault and the 4 x 400 meter relay team placed second in its heat to highlight first day action for the University of Delaware women’s track and field team at the annual Penn Relays Thursday at Franklin Field.

Bennett, Delaware school record holder in the event who placed second at last week’s Colonial Athletic Association Championships in the event after winning the title in 2005, was Delaware’s top individual finisher as she cleared 11 feet, 11 3/4 inches to place fifth overall in the College Women’s Pole Vault. Purdue’s Megan Darraugh won the event with a leap of 12-5 1/2. Delaware’s Kelli McDonald also competed but did not clear the minimum height.

Also for the Blue Hens, the 4 x 400 meter relay team of Alexi Capsouras, Paula Green, Asha Quant, and Brittany Wright ran a time of 3:55.36 to place second in their heat. Monmouth won the heat with a time of 3:49.60. Delaware’s time was the fourth fastest in school history.

Capsouras was Delaware’s other individual competitor as she placed fourth in her heat of the 400 meter hurdles with a time of 1:04.83. Louisville’s Heather Trimiew won the event with a time of 1:00.31.

The Delaware women’s 4 x 200 meter relay team was scheduled to compete Friday. The Delaware men will also compete Friday with Chris Dixon taking part in the 400 meter hurdles, Jared Wasser in the shot put, and the 4 x 100 meter, 4 x 200 meter, distance medley, and 4 x 400 meter relays all competing.