Waltham, MA - Smith College Track & Field continued to impress this season, finishing fourth out of eleven highly competitive teams. The meet showcased the Pioneers' depth and talent, with two event wins, five New England Division III Championship qualifiers, seven personal records (PRs), and an impressive twenty-four top-ten event finishes.

Record-Breaking Highlights

Lena Baker (Lee's Summit, MO/Lee's Summit North) etched her name in the record books by breaking a 42-year-old school record in the indoor 300m. Baker's stunning time of 44.46 shattered the previous record of 45.84, set by Abiba Jimma '86 in 1983. First-year standout Ada Fisher () also eclipsed the old record with a time of 45.65, earning her eighth place. Joining the top ten, Elowyn Gottsacker (Portland, OR/Roosevelt) finished ninth with a time of 46.21.

Event Winners

• Pria Parker (Hingham, MA/Hingham) dominated the 1000m, finishing in 2:57.90, just shy of her school record of 2:57.27. Parker led a remarkable performance by Smith athletes in the event, with Sofia Jurusz (Wildwood Crest, NJ/Middle Township) (2nd, 3:04.67), Serena Britner (Hampton, CT/St. Bernard) (3rd, 3:08.26), and Catherine Collins (Westfield, NJ/Westfield) (4th, 3:11.49) all meeting the New England DIII Championship qualifying time of 3:12.00. First-year Amelia Dion (Burlington, VT) also excelled, finishing fifth in 3:14.02.

• Lucy Kreipke (Princeton, NJ/Princeton) claimed victory in the 3000m, setting a personal record of 10:44.08. First-year Amie Gronert (Milwaukee, WI/Shorewood) followed in eighth with a time of 11:02.39, while Juanita Guiterrez ran a personal best of 11:16.73 to finish twelfth.

Top Performances Across Events

• Pole Vault: First-year Cady Sorensen cleared 3.25m to secure second place and a New England DIII Championship qualifying mark. Jill da Costa Pinto tied her personal best at 3.10m to finish third.

• Mile: Shams Ferver (Barre, VT/U-32) clocked 5:25.16, earning third place.

• 60m Dash: Daniela Pilier (Higuey, DR/Escuela Liceo Juan XXIII de la Salle) placed eighth with a time of 8.37, while Tiff Hooker achieved a personal best of 8.40 to finish ninth.

• Long Jump: Juliet May () placed eighth with a jump of 4.22m, just 1cm short of her personal record. Tara Pacini () also set a personal best of 3.20m.

• High Jump: Elaine McCarty () finished eighth with a jump of 1.41m.

• Shot Put: Annabel English () achieved a personal record with a throw of 6.24m.

Up Next

With a strong showing that included record-breaking performances, championship qualifiers, and personal bests, Smith College Track & Field is poised for continued success this season. The Pioneers' focus now shifts to next weekend when they travel to Norton, MA as they compete at Wheaton College on January 25th. 

About Smith Athletics: Smith College is a NCAA Division III member of the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference that sponsors 11 intercollegiate sports. For more information log on to smithpioneers.com and follow us on Facebook, and  Instagram.