BOSTON, Mass. – On this cold February day, the women's indoor track and field team competed in the 2025 Bruce Lehane Scarlett and White Invitational at the Tennis and Track center in Boston, Mass., hosted by BU.
"Overall it was a great tune up leading into conference action, with quality performances from all the event groups today," said Head Coach Gary Gardner. "It's really exciting to see the younger team members come along as the season has been progressing."
The 60m hurdles preliminary was underway first, as graduate student Alexandria Grasso (North Reading, Mass.) coasted her way to a top 4 finish, for fourth place, at a time of 8.77. Senior Fleur Balogh De Galantha (Grafton, Mass.) also competed in the preliminary, clocking in at 9.50 for 22nd.
Freshman Meredith Feener (Walpole, Mass.) was the only participant for UMass Lowell in the 60m dash preliminary, eventually clocking in with a time of 8.44, taking 24th place.
The 800m run event came next, as sophomore Katharine Cottone (Little Falls, N.J.) led the way for the River Hawks earning 58th at 2:21.17. Freshman Isabel McIntrye (Dover, N.H.) and freshman Alyssa Fiorino (Billerica, Mass.) ran in the event as well.
Several long-distance runners for UMass Lowell competed in the one-mile run, as senior Sarah Ross (Agawam, Mass.) crossed the line at 5:08.37, taking 40th place and junior Raihana Yameogo (Dillsburg, Pa.) was right behind in 41st, clocking in at 5:08.69. Next, freshman Lauren Long (Lunenburg, Mass.) earned 54th at a time of 5:25.58, and freshman Haley Evans (Glastonbury, Conn.) crossed at 5:29.08 for 55th. Also competing in the one-mile run were senior Vivian Mac (Randolph, Mass.), senior Kaitlyn Stevens (Oxford, Mass.) and sophomore Lena Takahashi (Holden, Mass.).
The 200m dash invite consisted of two River Hawk runners, as sophomore Jayani Santos (Tewksbury, Mass.) earned herself 18th place at 24.93 and Freshman Amelia Stebe (Honolulu, Hawaii) posted a 25.73 time for 34th place.
"The sprinters had a solid day two, as most of them competed in at least one event yesterday at Harvard," mentioned Associate Head Coach Allyson Waruch. "It was a great dress rehearsal to get ready for trials and finals coming up at conference championships. It has been exciting seeing young sprinters like Fisher, Iyanu, Jayani and Amelia start to get stronger as we head into championships."
Junior Danielle Thompson (Groton, Mass.) coasted her way to a 16th-place finish in the 200m dash open, posting a time of 26.00. Feener was also able to compete in 200m dash, recording a time of 27.01 for 34th place. Sophomore Bridget Geary (Lowell, Mass.) and sophomore Soria Roberts (Warwick, N.Y.) had also competed in the event.
The 3,000m run event followed, as senior Delaney Swanson (Swanzey, N.H.) was alone for UMass Lowell clocking in at 10:38.14 for 62nd place.
Ross took the lead for the River Hawks in the 1,500m run en route, as she claimed 40th place at a time of 4:47.53, with Yameogo behind in 41st at 4:47.70. Long trailed finishing in 54th place for a time of 5:03.76, with Evans taking 55th place, crossing at 5:06.71.
The shot put event began the fielding events, with sophomore Nhyira Nkansah (Chelmsford, Mass.) taking the front for UMass Lowell, throwing for a 11.39m mark for 11th place.
Junior Paige Murphy (Billerica, Mass.) hopped to a 4.93m mark, posting a 16th place finish in the long jump event, with freshman Chloe Champagne (Brockton, Mass.) recording a new personal-best for a 4.35m mark for 25th.
The pole vault event followed, with senior Jules Gravier (Bronxville, N.Y.) vaulting to a seventh place finish after a 3.30m mark. Next, freshman Jaden Kasule (Tewksbury, Mass.) and sophomore Úna Brice (Cork, Ireland) tied for 11th place, jumping for 3.15m marks.
In the high jump event, Balogh De Galantha rose to a 1.60m mark, taking the lead for the River Hawks, finishing in eighth place, with freshman Avery Pitts (Willington, Conn.) behind in ninth place for a 1.55m mark. Murphy (17th, 1.40m) and Champagne (18th, 1.40m) also jumped in the event.
"The jumpers are getting consistent at a higher level, so I'm excited to see them carry some extra confidence towards the end of this season," said Waruch.
Senior Arlene Davila (Peadbody, Mass.) fronted the weight throw event for UMass Lowell, throwing for a 14.68m mark for 15th place. Junior Julia Loescher (Peadbody, Mass.) threw for an overall mark of 11.04m, finishing in 23rd place.
The last fielding event for the day was the triple jump, where sophomore Nethica Auguste (Bridgewater, Mass.) would leap for a 11.03m mark, earning 11th place, and freshman Anya Neira (Methuen, Mass.) jumped for a new personal-best of 10.40m, obtaining 15th place.
The River Hawks will have a different look in its next competition, when they travel for a weekday meet in Durham, N.H. on Wednesday, February 12 at the Paul Sweet Oval.
