MYRTLE BEACH, SC (March 19, 2026) – Eight members of the Tufts University women's track & field team got the 2026 outdoor season started today by competing at the Alan Connie Shamrock Invitational.
Five Jumbos started in the heptathlon today, as the 100-meter hurdles, high jump, shot put and 200 meters were held. The long jump, javelin and 800 meters will take place tomorrow to finish up the season's first multi event. Tufts also had a trio of competitors in the javelin throw today.
Tufts sophomore
Lauren Zipoli had PRs in three of the four events of the heptathlon today to lead Tufts and place fifth out of 13 overall with a 2653 score. Her time of 15.16 seconds in the 100-meter hurdles scored 821 points and earned her the #9 spot in the all-time Tufts rankings for the event. She scored 741 points in the 200 meters with her only non-PR, a 26.25 mark that was second out of the 13 competitors.
Junior
Tessa Player sits eighth overall in the standings with a 2294 score. Her 9.48m shot put (31'1 ¼") was best among the five Jumbos. Her top point total of 619 came with a 16.80 mark in the 100-meter hurdles. Sophomore
Cameron Stanton is right behind Player with a 2222 score for ninth place. She also had a best mark in the 100-meter hurdles, with her 16.52 time accumulating 652 points.
A pair of first-years are competing in their first outdoor multi in South Carolina.
Camilla Brewer is 10th in the standings (2186) and
Eleanor Lewis is 12th (1791). Brewer ran a 27.99 in the 200 meters for 632 points, while Lewis cleared 1.54m (5'0 ½") in the high jump for 666 points.
Early in the outdoor season, Zipoli's 15.16 for the 100-meter hurdles ranks fifth nationally for all DIII competitors. Brewer (16.11), Stanton (16.52) and Player (16.80) are all in the early top 50 for the event as well. Zipoli and Lewis with 1.54m (5'0 ½") marks in the high jump are ranked 13th early on, while Player's (1.48m - 4'10 ¼") is top 35. Zipoli is also top 30 with her 26.65 in the 200 meters.
Maria Hognadottir from host school Coast Carolina leads the heptathlon after one day with a 3176 score.
In her first collegiate javelin competition, Tufts first-year
Isabella Romero earned 13th place out of 43 individuals with her best mark of 35.55m (116'7"). School-record holder
Jackie Wells got her junior season started with a 33.32m (109'4") distance that was 16th today. Junior
Ceci LaBarge PR'd with a 25.97m (85'2") attempt to take 26th place.
Along with the conclusion of the heptathlon on Friday, the Jumbos will have entries in the hammer throw and long jump at Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium. The meet continues through Saturday.
--JUMBOS--
