The Pioneers are unstoppable when it comes to their Track & Field team this season. They have garnered various personal bests and the students performed with “grit and excitement” according to their head coach, Director Courtney Jaworski. He says that “the personal bests throughout the indoor and outdoor season are complements of the students work ethic” throughout the year. After an extended break from competing due to the pandemic, the students have been working hard and an exciting season has resulted.
The 2022 season had many great moments for Track and Field. Multiple personal bests were established and revised by the Pioneers at the Tufts Last Chance Qualifier, Tufts Snowflake Invitational, Carla Coffey Invitational, Connecticut College’s Silfen Invitational and the Trinity Invitational.
One being Laurel Kruger ’23J, who placed sixth in the 3k at the Tufts Last Chance Qualifier, shaving 15 seconds off of her personal best time. At the Silfen Invitation, Kruger finished the 10k with another personal record (PR). She currently ranks the 12th best 10k runner in DIII nationally.
The Pioneers succeeded consistently throughout the season with 11 first place finishes and 3 personal best records at the Carla Coffey Invitational to the most recent Trinity Invitational in Hartford. The Trinity Invitational showcased 13 PRs and seven top-four finishes. Among these were Sophia Smith ’22, who placed first in the pole vault and Pria Parker ’25, who qualified for the New England Division III Championships in the 800m with third place.
Nicole Stewart ’25 has also set multiple records for this season. For the third time this outdoor season, she broke the 200m school record at the Trinity Invitational. Stewart currently ranks as the 16th best 200m runner nationally.
When asked about the team’s strategy for success, Coach Jaworski says he and his coaching team work with the athletes to develop a growth mindset, a positive attitude and focus on goal setting. Jaworski says that each athlete decides on one overarching goal and three process driven goals before each competition, which gives the athletes “a road map to follow and strategize.” Jaworski has noticed that the students really care about each other outside of competitions where they have been known to eat together, study together and visit each other over spring break. They are a “supportive, amiable group of women,” says Jaworski.
Next up the Pioneers will host the NEWMAC Championship on April 30 at 10:30 a.m.
