Spring has sprung on campus — but for many student athletes, its arrival means more than high UV rays. Tennis, rowing, softball, lacrosse and track and field have been preparing for the most important games, matches and races of their seasons.
Smith aims to continue momentum built by volleyball and basketball as each spring team chases a title in the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC).
Track and Field kicked off the championships at Mount Holyoke on April 25, sending athletes to compete in every event in the NEWMAC for the first time in years.
“I think it’s been really exciting, even just morale-wise, for people who have been around for a while to see how much the team has built,” pole vaulter Kerry Seekamp ’26 said.
Smith’s distance group has been making consistent national appearances, but for a long time the team didn’t have enough speed and power athletes to compete in the sprinting, jumping and throwing events. Now, with a full roster in both categories, Smith can focus on getting more competitive.
“We’re not leaving points on the table because we don’t have enough people anymore,” Seekamp said. “Now, it’s just about lifting the level of our program higher.”
Seekamp said in a word, this season has been “unprecedented.”
On April 26, Track and Field secured sixth overall, bringing home personal records and hardware to Northampton. Pria Parker ’25 claimed the NEWMAC 1500m title with a time of 4:34.08.
Parker raced alongside Lena Baker ’26, Shams Ferver ’26J, and Catherine Collins ’27 in the 4x400m where they clocked Smith’s fastest 4x400m run in over 12 years.
The same day, rowing traveled to Lake Quinsigamond, hoping to take a consecutive NEWMAC title. Though Smith placed third overall this year, following Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) and Wellesley College, the team took open-water victories in the second, third, and fourth varsity eight races. First varsity six-seat Kathleen Bacigalupi ’26 and four-seat Greta Stekl ’25 earned All-NEWMAC Second Team honors.
What’s next for rowing?
“Kicking Wellesley’s ass,” said Sox Whitin ’27. The team looks to reclaim their crown at Lake Quinsigamond May 2-3 and May 10-11 in the New England and National Invitational Championships. Crew will face off again against WPI and Wellesley in both races in their attempt to punch a ticket to fight for the national title at the NCAA, May 30-31.
In 2021, when Maggie Thompson ’25 began her collegiate lacrosse career at Smith, there were 13 players on the roster. Now, there are 29.
“We’ve made it further; we’ve come back harder, better, faster, stronger, every single year,” Thompson said.
With athletes breaking records across class years and positions, lacrosse’s 2025 season has been one to watch. As Thompson put it, the season was “electric.”
After an incredible game, Smith fell to Coast Guard by one point in double overtime. Though the loss was disappointing, the team’s spirited support for one another was limitless.
“When you have a roster that cares so deeply about the success of your team and cares so deeply about one another, I think even [the blow of] those heartbreaking losses softens because every single athlete did everything that they could to put us in the best position,” Thompson said.
As she passes the torch to the rising seniors, Thompson is excited about the program’s future. “I think the NEWMAC should be scared,” Thompson said. “The athletes we have right now are hungry to win. Our program’s hungry to win. Our program is intense and competitive and we do it together and I think that’s the strongest a team could ever be.”
For what Smith Tennis lacks in numbers, they compensate in grit, skill and prowess. Clocking in at nine athletes total, the squad is Smith’s smallest varsity team.
Many players competing this season have battled injury throughout the year. Before their match against Springfield, Marielle Sauber ‘26 said that the team hopes to attack with their full lineup for the NEWMAC.
On April 29, Smith Tennis fulfilled Sauber’s hope and secured a 4-1 win over Springfield College, earning a spot in the Semifinals.
Looking ahead, Sauber is excited for the program’s growth. “When I came to Smith, we had a full class of walk-ons in the tennis program,” she said. “The culture is completely different now. We’re so competitive, so closely bonded, I want to make sure we continue that.”
On May 3, Smith Tennis will face last year’s reigning champions, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), in the Semifinal round.
After losing nine seniors last year, softball has faced their fair share of adversity this season. With a roster of only 12 players, matching up against teams with 20-30 athletes is challenging. But for Smith, this experience has made each player stronger.
“From where we were at the beginning of this season to where we are now, the team has improved so much,” Allen said. “There has been a big shift […] [We are] striving to be more intense, striving to be better.”
“Although our record might have been better [last season], it felt like there was less drive […] This year we want to go out there and win,” she said.
Despite new policies and individual struggles, Smith Athletics remains united and continues to put their all into competition. Whether stepping up to the plate or stepping into the boat, spring athletes are approaching their post-season competitions with togetherness, fortitude and fire.
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