BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- For the second time this season, Bridgewater State University freshman Samantha Richner has been selected as the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Women's Outdoor Track & Field Rookie of the Week.

Richner tied a 33-year old school record in the high jump and earned All-New England honors to lead the Bears at the Division III New England Championships held at Springfield College this past weekend.  The Hanson, Massachusetts native placed third in the event with a leap of five feet, six inches (1.68 meters) as she equaled the Bears' outdoor mark set by BSU Hall of Famer Judy Smith in 1980 and again in 1981. Richner currently ranks 11th in all of Division III in the high jump.

Richner was also named MASCAC Rookie of the Week earlier this season for her performance at the Tufts Snowflake Classic.

During the winter indoor season, Richner earned MASCAC Rookie of the Week honors an impressive six times.  She set the Bears' indoor high jump record with a mark of five feet, five inches (1.65 meters) early this year at the BU John Thomas Terrier Invitational.

Next weekend, qualifying members of the BSU women's outdoor track and field team will compete at the NEICAAA Championships hosted by Westfield State University.