Women's Track and Field Takes Third at NESCAC Championships

MIDDLETOWN, CONN. (April 26, 2025) - The Tufts University women's track and field team took third place in the 2025 New England Small College Athletic Conference Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championships down in Middletown on the campus of Wesleyan University.

Makayla Moriarty claimed the first win of the day for the Jumbos. The first year ran to first place in the 400m run with a personal best time of 55.96. The time was just a tenth off of the school record and set the 22nd best time in the NCAA Division III.

Arielle Chechile and Emma Smith both set personal records in the 400m Hurdles, as the first year finished third in 1:02.22 and the senior in fourth with a 1:03.01. Phoebe Bryar also set a personal best in the 800m run with a 2:14.83, just before Carly Rinko set a personal best of her own in the 1500m run with a 4:39.88.

The 3000m steeplechase saw three Jumbos set new personal bests, as Lexi Dean, Taylor Neldner and Grace Doyle each broke their personal records. Dean took seventh with an 11:15.00, ahead of Neldner with an 11:37.76 and Doyle with an 11:38.10.

Elizabeth Donhue broke her personal record in the 5000m run en route to seventh place with a 17:17.69. Katya Henisz also broke her personal best in the event with a 17:25.10.

On the field, Elysse Cumberland dominated the competition once again. The first year won the title in the triple jump and the long jump. The long jump came first, and saw Cumberland finish a centimeter ahead of the second best jumper from Middlebury. Her winning mark of 5.76m was just enough to get the Jumbos' first field event title of the day.

Soon after, Cumberland smashed the competition in the triple jump. She claimed first place with an 11.98m for the sixth best mark in the NCAA Division III. Her winning mark was 22 centimeters ahead of second place senior Jordan Andrew, finishing second with an 11.76m.

First year Mia Kurtz set a new personal best in the shot put, setting a mark of 12.14m for third. Fellow first year Julia Saporito also set a new personal record in the discus throw, tossing a 38.41m throw for third.

The Jumbos will take the week off before heading to New London for the New England Division III Championships on May 2.