WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. — The Lehigh University women’s track and field team delivered a dominant performance at the Monmouth Season Opener this weekend, securing seven event wins and a slew of personal bests at the two-day competition. The Mountain Hawks showcased strength across a variety of disciplines, from throwing events to sprints and distance races, signaling a promising start to their outdoor season. The team’s success wasn’t limited to victories; numerous athletes achieved top-ten finishes and set new personal records, demonstrating a broad base of talent and dedication.
The meet kicked off Friday with hammer and discus throws. Grace Aggen immediately set the tone for Lehigh, winning the discus with a throw of 45.85 meters – a margin of over four meters separating her from the competition. Avery Hogan and Olivia Dubrow also contributed to the team’s points, finishing sixth and eighth respectively in the discus. Dubrow led Lehigh in the hammer throw, achieving a distance of 36.75 meters.
Aggen’s Continued Success and Jumping Dominance
Aggen continued her winning streak on Saturday, adding a shot put victory to her resume with a throw of 14.05 meters. The senior secured the win on her penultimate attempt. Beyond the throws, Lehigh’s jumpers also shone brightly. Grace Nation swept both the long jump (5.45 meters) and the triple jump (11.67 meters), solidifying her position as a key athlete for the Mountain Hawks. First-year Charlotte DeForest made an immediate impact, securing top-ten finishes in both horizontal jumps – 10th in the triple jump (10.46 meters) and eighth in the long jump (5.05 meters). Laura Reigle added another win for Lehigh, clearing the 3.81-meter bar in the pole vault.
Mid-Distance Domination and Sprint Speed
Lehigh’s dominance was particularly evident in the 800-meter race, where they secured six of the top eight places. Lauryn Heskin led the charge, winning the event in 2:12.39 – more than five seconds ahead of the runner-up. Amber Barrios and Hope Trimmer completed the podium sweep for Lehigh, finishing in 2:17.75 and 2:18.10, respectively. Kayleigh Jamieson, in her outdoor debut, placed sixth with a time of 2:19.25, while Lucy Afanasewicz and Jaqueline Gifford finished seventh and eighth, with Gifford setting a personal best of 2:21.88.
The Mountain Hawks also excelled in the sprints. Jade Sanders paced the field in the 200-meter dash, finishing in 24.92 seconds, a time that moves her to fourth on Lehigh’s all-time performance list. Gianna Mangili and Harper Glennon followed, sweeping the podium and both setting personal bests – 25.17 and 25.20 seconds, respectively. Kasey White finished fifth in the 200m (25.48) and also secured third place in the 400-meter dash with a time of 59.15 seconds.
Distance and Hurdles Performances Round Out Strong Weekend
Lehigh’s distance runners also contributed to the team’s success. Dakota Russell finished as the runner-up in the 3000-meter steeplechase, completing the race in 11:29.61 in her first outdoor race of the season. Elizabeth Ehrhardt and Mallory Sherrer rounded out the top five, both achieving personal bests with times of 11:55.40 and 12:00.51, respectively. Grace Hughes secured second place in the 1500-meter run, setting a personal record of 4:28.35, making her the sixth fastest 1500-meter runner in Lehigh history. Grace Trimmer finished fifth in her first 5k on the track, clocking in at 17:52.93.
Sophomores Lanae Carrington and Adelaide Videon-Perino showcased their talent in the hurdle events. Carrington won the 400-meter hurdles in 1:03.15, while Videon-Perino finished fifth in 1:05.89. Anna Troutman, Lehigh’s sole competitor in the 100-meter hurdles, achieved a personal best time of 15.45 seconds, securing a fourth-place finish. Lehigh also secured second-place finishes in both the 4×100 meter relay (48.31 seconds) and the 4×400 meter relay (3:54.56).
The Mountain Hawks will return to New Jersey next week to compete at the Princeton Invitational on Saturday, April 4. Further details and a full schedule of events can be found on the Lehigh Athletics website. This meet provides another opportunity for the team to build on their strong start and continue to refine their performances as they progress through the outdoor season.
The impressive showing at Monmouth underscores the depth and potential of the Lehigh women’s track and field program. The team’s ability to secure wins across multiple disciplines, combined with numerous personal bests, suggests a bright future for the Mountain Hawks this season.
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