The Hopkins women’s track and field team has officially entered the crux of their season. This past weekend, the team competed in both the Seamus McElligot Invitational and the Armory Collegiate Invitational. Throughout the course of these two tournaments, the Blue Jays dominated in multiple events.
Leading the team in the shot put was junior Emily Swensonbroke who broke her own Centennial Conference record. She previously surpassed this record two times this season, at both the NYU Gotham Cup on January 11th and the Maryland Invitational on January 19th.
In addition to breaking her own record, Swenson became the first conference athlete in history to throw more than 13 meters in an indoor track competition. With a toss of 13.04 meters, Swenson placed first in the competition. Her teammate, senior Alana Merkow, came in second with a throw of 12.06 meters.
On the track, Hopkins swept the 60 meter dash, controlling the first five places. They were led by freshman Brynn Parsons who clocked in at 8.22 seconds.
When asked about the win, Parsons said, “It was a fun race. There were about 12 girls from Hopkins running, so it was a bit weird going against each other, but it was a really close race so it’s good that we train together.”
Following her into the top five were freshman Juliana Wittman, coming in second with a time of 8.28, and Swenson clocking in at 8.29 for third place. In fourth was sophomore Kelley Hussey, with a time of 8.39, and rounding out the top five was freshman Remington Ricciutiwith a time of 8.48.
In the 60 meter hurdles, not only did the Blue Jays win, but the Hopkins runners swept the top three spots. Senior AlexaTzaferos tied the Hopkins record in the 60 meter hurdles, placing first with a time of 9.53.
The record was set last weekend by Swenson, who placed second in the race with a time of 9.66. Freshman Nikki Kerns came in third, clocking in at 9.93.
Hopkins also claimed the top three spots in the long jump. Senior Kristin Spera finished first with a jump of 16’5.25”. Following her was Ricciuti in second with a jump of 16’3.75” and Tzaferos in third with a jump of 15’9.75”.
For the distance runners, senior Annie Monagle ran a personal-best time in the mile run. She finished first with a time of 5:01.93 and secured first place for Hopkins.
There were numerous second place results as well, including Parsons in the 200 meter dash with a time of 26.97, senior Emily Kashka in the pole vault with a height of 10’00” and freshman Imoni McCorvey in the triple jump with a leap of 34’10.25”.
Overall, the Lady Jays won seven out of 14 events at the Seamus McElligot Invitational.
At the Armory Collegiate Invitational the Hopkins’ distance medley relay team took on Division I competition. The team placed 10th overall with a time of 12:00.37. Freshman Sophia Meehan, sophomore Ingrid Johnson and freshman Hannah Oneda all contributed to the impressive showing.
When asked what the team is focusing on for the future, freshman Courtney Kelly said, “We are working on teamwork and pushing each other to reach more personal records.”
For a team that has broken many records so far, this will be nothing but routine. Hopkins hopes to improve upon their success at both the Sweetheart Meet and the Valentine Invitational next weekend.
