HAVERFORD, Pa. – The Bryn Mawr track and field program took a quick drive over to Haverford College on Saturday morning to compete in the McElligot Invitational. Sophomore Colby Rossmassler had a successful day at the high jump to qualify for the Centennial Championships while senior Margaret Hardigg landed a season best in the triple jump.

Rossmassler started her day competing in the high jump, her new event of the season. She went with three clean jumps (1.22m, 1.27m, and 1.32m) to qualify for Centennial Championships. In her third jump, the sophomore set a new personal record by reaching .02m higher than her previous best height of 1.30m which she earned in December of 2022.

Jessica Johnson and Margaret Hardigg also cleared 1.42m to set the trio up with a respective third and sixth place finish. After three consecutive personal records (PRs) in the high jump, Rossmassler went on to earn three additional PRs in the hurdles (11.58s), shotput (5.57m) and long jump (4.11m). The sophomore's height in the long jump also qualified her for the Centennial Championships.

The excitement continued in the field events as Hardigg landed a season best in the triple jump (9.44m) to earn eighth place. Johnson earned third in the long jump (4.99m) to set a college PR. Over at throws, Nora Steil threw 8.45m, missing last week's PR by two centimeters.

The sprint group also had some notable performances. Kayla Camille led the charge in the 60m (8.54s) to earn a PR. Madeleine Yao took up the mantle in the 200m (28.76s), also earning a PR, while Camille secured a season best (29.23s). The 400m saw newcomers Kate O'Loughlin (1:23.29) and Anna Kalnite (1:32.30) with PRs.

"This power group has a lot to be happy for this weekend," said Coach Hewitt. "It hasn't been the easiest January for us, but you can see that they're hungry for success and looking for more. I like how this week played out, but I'm really looking forward to what they put together in February."

The milers led off with season bests from Evelyn Cheng (6:00.35) and Evelyn Fort (6:13.20). Lauren Kitay put in a gutsy second half to secure eighth place and a new PR (5:46.89). Malin Just finished 10th in the 800m (2:30.77) and Marien Richardson doubled back out of the mile for a season best (2:49.35). 

Success in the 3k remains a staple of a Bryn Mawr meet as three Owls returned this weekend for another attempt at the 15-lap race. In the first heat, Eliza Lehman set herself up for success with an aggressive start. The 3k specialist earned her third PR in three weeks (11:38.29). Lukabed Bati led out the second heat with Sofie Prieto on her shoulder. Prieto earned a PR and the heat win (11:55.92) with Bati seconds behind (11:58.60).   

"We're into the semester now and we still need to make some adjustments to how we're running the mid-distance races, but you can see the strength of the endurance squad showing on these longer racers," stated Coach Hewitt. "As we start to get more speed work in, I think you'll start to see it come together for a mile group as well."

"The team was supported by members of the Kalnite and McDonnell ('22) families, Margaret Patchin ('16), Director Fink, members of the Bryn Mawr soccer and lacrosse programs and other members of the Bryn Mawr Community.

The Owls will travel to Collegeville, Pa. next Saturday to compete in the Frank Colden Invitational in their first February meet of 2023.