UTICA, N.Y. - The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) women's track & field team showcased a commanding all-around performance at the Utica Winter Opener today, turning in numerous top-eight finishes and individual event victories to bolster a strong early-season effort across the sprints, jumps, throws, and distance events.
Emma McGuinn helped set the tone for the Engineers by claiming victory in the 60-meter hurdles, clocking in at 9.64 seconds. She later returned to place seventh in the 200-meter dash (27.31), contributing to a deep sprint group that dominated the event. RPI stacked four runners inside the top eight in the 200, led by
Lauren Szalkowski in third (26.76), followed closely by
Alyssa Fici (4th, 26.83) and
Ava Marcucci (5th, 26.92). Fici also added an eighth-place finish in the 60-meter dash at 8.24 seconds.
The quartet of Fici, Szalkowski, McGuinn, and Marcucci combined to win the 4x200-meter relay in 1:48.05, capping off a dominant sprint relay performance. In the 4x400-meter relay, the team of
Anoua Carrie,
Laura Hoag,
Maeve Murphy, and
Sonia Staroscik clocked 4:15.93 to finish third.
RPI had a strong showing in the 5000 meters, with
Gianna Coryea taking second (19:02.18) and
Tessa Bossom finishing third (19:19.41).
Theresa O'Connor secured eighth in the 3000 meters (10:58.49) as well to highlight the Engineers' distance performances.
The jumpers were led by standout
Alice Brambati, who won both the long jump (5.35 meters) and triple jump(10.87 meters).
Sonia Staroscik added a sixth-place finish in the triple jump (9.95m), and
Tooni Olaleye cleared 1.48 meters to take fifth in the high jump.
Isabelle Sullivan earned a fourth-place finish in the pole vault with a clearance of 2.27 meters.
Leanna Wells won the shot put with a mark of 13.33 meters and placed fourth in the weight throw at 13.61 meters.
Katie Lynch contributed a third-place showing in the shot put (11.13m) and was third in the weight throw (14.14m), while
Kylie Allen finished fourth in the shot put (10.64m).
Grace Richard added an eighth-place result in the weight throw at 12.30 meters.
RPI is set to compete again next Saturday at Middlebury College.
