WALTHAM, Mass. – The Smith College Track and Field team put together a competitive performance at the 2026 Reggie Poyau Memorial Invitational on Saturday, highlighted by event victories from Kerry Seekamp (Destin, FL/Fort Walton Beach) and Elowyn Gottsacker (Portland, OR/Roosevelt).

Field Highlights

Senior Kerry Seekamp (Destin, FL/Fort Walton Beach) delivered a standout performance in the pole vault, capturing first place with a winning clearance of 3.45m (11-03.75). Her mark currently ranks 23rd in Division III. The Bears showcased their depth in the event, with senior Jillian da Costa Pinto (West Hartford, CT/Conard) placing 4th (3.30m) and sophomore Cadence Sorenson finishing 5th (3.00m).

In the jumping events, junior Elaine McCarty () earned a 7th-place finish in the high jump (1.43m) and placed 11th in the long jump (4.31m).

Sophomore Mollie Doyle () led the throwers, securing a top-10 finish in the weight throw (9th place, 11.16m) and placing 13th in the shot put (8.10m). Annabel English () achieved a personal record in the weight throw, finishing 14th with a toss of 10.25m.

Track Highlights

On the track, sophomore Elowyn Gottsacker (Portland, OR/Roosevelt) secured a victory in the 60-meter hurdles, crossing the line in a personal-best time of 9.50 seconds. Gottsacker also performed well in the 300m dash, placing 6th (44.95), while senior Lena Baker (Lee's Summit, MO/Lee's Summit North) took 4th place in the 300m with a personal-best time of 42.77, which set a new school record. 

The Bears were dominant in the middle-distance events. In the 1000-meter run, first-year Avery Grace Maiese (Waterford, CT/Waterford High School) finished runner-up with a time of 3:06.29, followed closely by junior Sofia Jurusz (Wildwood Crest, NJ/Middle Township) in 3rd (3:06.46) and sophomore Amelia Dion (Burlington, VT/Burlington) in 6th (3:09.56).

Junior Lucy Kreipke (Princeton, NJ/Princeton) led the distance squad with a strong 2nd-place finish in the 3000-meter run, clocking in at 10:32.95. In the relays, Smith's 'A' team (Baker, Howes, McCarty, Lamb) placed 4th in the 4x400m with a time of 4:18.00, while the 'B' squad finished just behind them in 5th (4:23.75). The next meet is Janaury 24th for the Springfield/MIT Invitational. 

Smith Top Finishers

• 1st Place: Kerry Seekamp (Destin, FL/Fort Walton Beach) (Pole Vault) – 3.45m

• 1st Place: Elowyn Gottsacker (Portland, OR/Roosevelt) (60m Hurdles) – 9.50

• 2nd Place: Avery Grace Maiese (Waterford, CT/Waterford High School) (1000m) – 3:06.29

• 2nd Place: Lucy Kreipke (Princeton, NJ/Princeton) (3000m) – 10:32.95

• 3rd Place: Sofia Jurusz (Wildwood Crest, NJ/Middle Township) (1000m) – 3:06.46

• 4th Place: Lena Baker (Lee's Summit, MO/Lee's Summit North) (300m) – 42.77

• 4th Place: Jillian da Costa Pinto (West Hartford, CT/Conard) (Pole Vault) – 3.30m

• 4th Place: 4x400m Relay 'A' – 4:18.00

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 onto GoSmithBears.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.