LANDOVER, Md. – In a thrilling conclusion to the inaugural United East Conference Women’s Indoor Track & Field Championships on Monday, February 26, St. Mary’s College of Maryland’s women’s team secured a commendable second place, narrowly missing the top spot by a mere fraction of a point.
Penn State Behrend edged out St. Mary’s College with a score of 136.666 points to 135.5, in a fiercely competitive seven-team field. The Seahawks’ performance was highlighted by 13 personal bests and five new school records, showcasing the depth and talent of the team.
Sophomore Dina Jones, hailing from Waldorf, Md., was a standout performer, earning the prestigious Elite 20 Award for her academic and athletic excellence. Senior captain Brittney Douglas claimed victory in the 800m run, clocking in at 2:29.43, leading a strong showing by the Seahawks in various events.
In addition to individual victories, the team’s collective effort was evident in the 4x400m relay. The quartet of Savannah Owens, Douglas, Elise Kinyanjui, and Avery Arizzi set a new school record with a time of 4:17.32, shattering the previous record by over 12 seconds.
Chay’la Rivers, a sophomore from Baltimore, Md., was among the record breakers, setting a new school and personal best in the 60m hurdles at 10.09 seconds, surpassing her previous record. Rivers also excelled in the triple jump, claiming a new school record with a leap of 10.11m.
Avery Arizzi also made her mark in the 400m dash, finishing second with a school and personal record time of 1:02.72, further demonstrating the Seahawks’ prowess on the track.
The field events saw notable performances as well, with first-year Jillian Zukley earning a silver medal in the shot put, and sophomore Nayev Pumphrey setting a season-best in the same event.
The Seahawks showed strength in the distance events, with senior Betsy Robey leading the way in the 5000m run and multiple athletes posting personal bests across various distances.
As the Seahawks look ahead, they prepare to compete in the All-Atlantic Region Track & Field Conference Indoor Championships in Rochester, N.Y., on March 1-2. With their recent performances, the team has set high expectations for their upcoming challenges.
The Seahawks’ achievements at the United East Conference Championships not only highlight their competitive spirit but also their potential for continued success in the future.
