SPRINGFIELD & CAMBRIDGE, MA — The Smith College Bears track and field team split squads this weekend to deliver statement performances across the region, headlined by a commanding 800m victory at the Massasoit Classic and a deep showing in the pole vault at MIT's Gordon Kelly Invitational.

800m Crew Orchestrates the Sweep

The highlight in Springfield was the women's 800m, where Avery Maiese led a blue-and-gold surge to the finish line. Maiese captured the top spot with a winning time of 2:24.46, setting the pace for a dominant team display. The Bears' depth was on full display as the squad secured five of the top seven spots (1st, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th) to effectively sweep the event points.

Vertical Bears Reach New Heights at MIT

Across the river in Cambridge, the Smith pole vaulters held their own against a competitive field at the Gordon Kelly Invitational.

• Kerry Seekamp (Destin, FL/Fort Walton Beach) led the way for the Bears, clearing 3.40m (11-1 ¾) to secure a strong 6th-place finish.

• Jillian da Costa Pinto (West Hartford, CT/Conard) cleared 3.25m (10-8) to finish 11th.

• Cady Sorenson (Orlando, FL/Lake Highland Prep) also contributed to the team's vertical presence, clearing 2.95m (9-8).

Podium Presence and Strong Finals Qualifying

Back at the Massasoit Classic, Lena turned in a stellar performance in the 400m, finishing 2nd overall. Her time of 1:01.15 was a key highlight of the afternoon, securing a silver-medal finish for the Bears.

The team also qualified several athletes for finals in their respective events:

• Elowyn Gottsacker (Portland, OR/Roosevelt) advanced in the 60m Hurdles.
• Mollie Doyle () secured her spot in the Weight Throw finals.

• Elaine McCarty () punched her ticket to the Long Jump finals.

Coach's Corner

Head Coach Molly Sear was thrilled with the team's progression throughout the day.

"We continued the positive trend from last week with multiple personal bests and top finishers!" said Sear. "The throwers had some massive PRs to really top off the day!"

Looking Ahead

With the mid-distance group firing on all cylinders and the vault squad consistently clearing high bars, the Bears carry significant momentum into the heart of the indoor season. The team will look to build on these results as they prepare for their next outing which will be at the Terrier Invitational on Friday, January 30th. 

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.