Women's Track and Field 12/7/2024 6:05:00 PM

Ephs Have Strong Season Opener at BU Sharon Colyear-Danvile Invite

Boston, MA – The Williams Women's Track and Field Team had an impressive day of competition at the BU Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener on December 7, 2024. While some Williams athletes competed at the New Balance Early Bird Invite, many of the Ephs' sprinters, mid-distance runners, and throwers traveled to Boston University to kick off their indoor season. The meet featured elite competition from all three NCAA divisions, including teams such as Boston University, Coast Guard, MIT, Amherst, and the University of Vermont. This marked an exciting season debut for the Ephs, highlighted by multiple personal bests, a new 600m school record, and an exciting 4x400m relay performance.

The Ephs had several strong performances in sprint and mid-distance events throughout the day. In the 60m prelims, Rachel Arthur '25 led the Ephs with a personal-best time of 7.71 seconds, placing 4th. This mark qualifies her for the Division III New England Championships and ranks 2nd on the Williams All-Time Performance List. Teammates Maggie Nichols '28 and Ella Sukup '26 followed with times of 8.11 seconds (9th) and 8.23 seconds (10th), respectively. Arthur returned for the 60m finals, where she placed 4th place with a time of 7.72 seconds. The Ephs also excelled in the 400m, with school-record-holder Bella King-Harvey '27 finishing 3rd in 56.36 seconds. Close behind was Claire Jensen '27, who placed 5th with a time of 59.11 seconds. Both King-Harvey and Jensen hit qualifying 400m marks for the Division III New England Championships. In the 60m hurdles, Olivia LaBelle '28 made her collegiate debut with a strong performance, placing 6th in 9.54 seconds – a Division III New England qualifying mark. Daisy Valle '25 competed in her first collegiate 300m, placing 26th with a time of 44.63 seconds.

A major highlight of the day came in the 600m, where first-year Annika Paluska '28 shattered the Williams school record with a time of 1:33.42. Paluska's time not only earned her 2nd place overall and a Division III New England qualification but also ranks as the third-fastest time in NCAA Division III history.

The Ephs continued their success in the throwing events. In the shot put, Maria Fareti '28 made her collegiate debut, throwing 11.35m to place 5th and qualify for the Division III New England Championships. Fareti also competed in the weight throw, finishing 3rd with a mark of 15.51m. Teammate Chloe Schneeberg '25 achieved a personal best in the weight throw with a mark of 14.92m, placing 5th. Both athletes secured Division III New England qualifying marks in this event.

The Ephs completed the meet with a victory in the 4x400m relay. The team of Bella King-Harvey '27, Annika Paluska '28, Claire Jensen '27, and Cate Donaldson '27 ran an impressive time of 3:51.27, which ranks 7th on the Williams All-Time Performance List.

The Ephs demonstrated the hard work and preparation they put in throughout the fall training season at Saturday's season-opening meet. With numerous personal records, a new school record, and Division III New England qualifications, the Ephs look forward to building on this momentum going forward this season. Reflecting on the day's competition, head coach Nate Hoey commented, "What a fun way to kick off the season! I really like the energy we brought today. I'm looking forward to continuing our training and building forward." The Ephs' next competition will be the Ramapo Invite at the NYC Armory on January 17th, 2025.

RESULTS

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Rachel Arthur: Sprints/Jumps; Senior

Cate Donaldson: Sprints/Jumps; Sophomore

Claire Jensen: Sprints; Sophomore

Bella King-Harvey: Sprints; Sophomore

Chloe Schneeberg: Throws/Sprints; Senior

Ella Sukup: Sprints; Junior

Daisy Valle: Jumps/Sprints/Hurdles; Senior

Maria Fareti: Throws; First Year

Olivia LaBelle: Hurdles/Sprints; First Year

Maggie Nichols: Sprints; First Year

Annika Paluska: Mid Distance/Sprints; First Year

Players Mentioned

Rachel Arthur
: Senior
: Sprints/Jumps

Cate Donaldson
: Sophomore
: Sprints/Jumps

Claire Jensen
: Sophomore
: Sprints

Bella King-Harvey
: Sophomore
: Sprints

Chloe Schneeberg
: Senior
: Throws/Sprints

Ella Sukup
: Junior
: Sprints

Daisy Valle
: Senior
: Jumps/Sprints/Hurdles

Maria Fareti
: First Year
: Throws

Olivia LaBelle
: First Year
: Hurdles/Sprints

Maggie Nichols
: First Year
: Sprints

Annika Paluska
: First Year
: Mid Distance/Sprints