Boston, MA - Smith College Track & Field delivered an outstanding performance at the New England DIII Championships, setting school records, earning crucial points, and achieving numerous personal bests. The Pioneers finished 13th out of 28 teams, improving on last year's 16th-place finish and solidifying their standing among the top programs in the region.

Day 1: Fast Starts and Relay Excellence

• Smith opened the scoring in the 600m, where senior Shams Ferver (Barre, VT/U-32)—coming off her recent school record—continued to impress with a personal-best 1:37.59, earning a 6th-place finish.
• The momentum continued in the 1000m, with senior Serena Britner (Hampton, CT/St. Bernard) running a PR of 3:01.27 to finish 6th, while sophomore Catherine Collins (Westfield, NJ/Westfield) added another PR (3:08.11) in 13th place.
• One of the most exciting highlights of the day came from the 4x200m relay team of senior Tiff Hooker, junior Daniela Pilier (Higuey, DR/Escuela Liceo Juan XXIII de la Salle), first-year Elowyn Gottsacker (Portland, OR/Roosevelt), and junior Lena Baker (Lee's Summit, MO/Lee's Summit North). Their time of 1:48.67 marked the fastest Smith performance in the event in nine years, finishing 14th overall and coming within one second of the school record.

Day 2: Strong Finishes and Record-Breaking Relays

• Smith picked up right where they left off on Day 2, with senior Pria Parker (Hingham, MA/Hingham) securing a 3rd-place finish in the mile, running a 4:58.05 to put crucial points on the board.
• Junior Lena Baker (Lee's Summit, MO/Lee's Summit North) continued her standout weekend, posting an indoor PR of 1:00.11 in the 400m, placing 16th overall.
• In the 4x800m relay, Britner, sophomore Sofia Jurusz (Wildwood Crest, NJ/Middle Township), Collins, and Parker combined for a 6th-place finish in 9:34.32, coming within two seconds of last year's school record.
• Smith closed out the championship in historic fashion with a top-10 finish in the 4x400m relay, as the team of Baker, Gottsacker, first-year Ada Fisher (), and Ferver ran 4:08.77, marking the fastest Smith time in the event in at least 15 years.

Smith Continues to Impress 

With a 13th-place overall finish—improving on last year's 16th-place standing—Smith Track & Field showcased its depth, speed, and continued growth on the championship stage. With multiple record-breaking performances and top finishes, the Pioneers proved they are a rising force in New England.

As the season progresses, Smith will look to build on this success, chasing more PRs, school records, and championship qualifications. Stay tuned for more exciting results as the Pioneers continue their indoor campaign next weekend at the Tufts Last Chance Qualifier. 

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.