NESCAC women indoor 2025-26

The start of indoor feels jarring. We've just completed XC, Thanksgiving break was nice, and then BAM! First indoor meets happen. However, there is something about taking that XC fitness you have and seeing what you can do on the track before finals and Christmas break.

Something we're going to pay attention to this season is the difference between times on banked and flat tracks. The NCAA publishes standard adjustment factors to convert between flat and banked times. The NCAA meet this year will be held in Birmingham, AL on a banked track. When an athlete's time was on a flat track, the faster banked time equivalent will be highlighted.

At the end of the post, three different accolades are provided: MVP of the Week, Big-Time Performances, Surprise of the Week.

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800

A couple 800 times to note from this past weekend, both on banked tracks in Boston.

Evelyn Marchand (SR Bates) ran 2:22.33 at BU Colyear. She finished 4th in her heat.

Livi Mazerolle (SR Williams) ran 2:22.93 at the TRACK at NB, winning the event.

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MILE

Some fast early times in the mile this year. Four women went under 5:10 on banked tracks Saturday. In general, more women contested the mile this year vs. last year on the same first weekend.

Piper Lentz (SR Amherst) ran an evenly paced 5:02.33 at BU Colyear.

Clara Gahm (SO Williams) won the event at NB, going 5:03.34.

Lily Yampolsky (SO Williams) wasn't too far off her teammate, going 5:06.60.

Zoe Marcus (JR Amherst) got a 5:08.61 at BU. This was a significant PR for Zoe, whose previous best was 5:28.76. This time more closely matches the 800s she's run (e.g. 2:15.46 indoors last year).

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3000

A couple sub-10:05 3000s were run, fast for this early in the season.

Zui Chinchalkar (FR Tufts) executed a terrific race, with fairly even pacing over 15 laps, to go 10:02.06.

Jordan Liss-Riordan (JR Williams) finished a few seconds back from Zui in 10:04.98. This was a big pickup from the same race last year, where she went 10:21.48.

Emily Pogozelski (SR Hamilton) ran her first ever 3000, after focusing on distances from 400 to 1000 over her career. Her Utica flat track time of 10:27.93 equates to a 10:22.59 on a banked track.

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5000

The 5000 performances were truly epic this weekend. Several women ran times you'd expect to see in March. Last year, two women went under 17 minutes across the entire season. We had three of them do this past weekend. The 5000 featured three members of the Ephs NCAA XC Championship team.

Kate Tuttle (SO Williams) cranked in her 5000 debut, running a blazing 16:50.78. She kept things more conservative early on, with laps 2-10 right around 41 seconds. She then tightened things, going 39-40 seconds through the finish.

Elizabeth Donahue (SR Tufts) joined the sub-17 club with her 16:54.83. Her previous best was 17:36.31 last year at this same meet.

Kate Swann (SR Williams) dropped a massive PR, going 16:59.38. Her previous best was 17:25.35 last at the New Balance track in Boston. She was in the same heat with Kate Tuttle, and she ran right with her for most of the race.

Charlene Peng (SR Williams) also PR'd with her 17:07.55. Great pickup on her previous best of 17:23.28.

Katya Henisz (JR Tufts) put herself into the NESCAC conversation with her 17:13.13 PR. Nice improvement on her previous best of 17:23.91.

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MVP OF THE WEEK

As is tradition, Kate Tuttle (SO Williams) is the MVP this week. Her 16:50.78 debut was fantastic; for context, that time would have placed her 5th at the D3 NCAA Indoor Championships last year. Only one NESCAC runner was faster last year across the entire season: Keira Rogan at 16:47.68, run in mid-February.

We saw middle-distance specialist Grace McDonough (SR Conn) take on both the 1500 and the 5000 outdoors this past spring, earning the podium in both. Might we see something similar for indoors with Kate?

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BIG-TIME PERFORMANCES

This is Jumbos country.

Elizabeth Donahue (SR Tufts) kicks off this new accolade. Her 16:54.83 in the 5000 was a huge breakthrough. Regular readers know we love seeing seniors reaching new levels in their running, and Elizabeth exemplifies that. What's interesting is that her XC times this season were similar to what she did the prior year. So it wasn't obvious she was in this shape.

Zui Chinchalkar (FR Tufts) ran a magnificent 3000 with her 10:02.06. To provide context, her best 3200 in high school was 11:05.26. Her 3000 equates to a 10:45.67. XC training has set her up well for indoor.

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SURPRISE OF THE WEEK

The first surprise award goes to Lucy Paynter (SR Bates). Her mile time of 5:14.22 blows away any of her previous miles, where her best had been 5:52.14. Her XC times this season weren't forecasting this kind of mile performance. Historically she has been more focused on the 800, but she went out and knocked the cover off the mile at BU. And of course, go senior!

Welcome to 2026! It's still early, and there's only meet of interest this weekend: Wesleyan Indoor Invite.

Wesleyan Indoor Invite (Jan 10)
flat track

Wesleyan and Conn College will race at this meet. Scanning the entries, the events of note include:

Mile: Chase Cerrell (SO Wes) and Kaitlyn Connors (FR Wes) are seeded 5:10. Seeded at 5:15 are Abby Williams (JR Conn), LK Tucker (JR Conn), April Schilling (JR Conn), Steph Ager (SR Wes).

1000: The Camels have the top 3 here, all seeded at 2:55: Alexa Estes (SR Conn), Grace McDonough (SR Conn), Abby Fernald (SR Conn).

3000: Cardinals have the top 3 seeds in this event. Seeded at 10:25: Virginia Lessner (SO Wes), Margaret Stevens (JR Wes). At 10:30: Alexandra Simon (SR Wes).

4 x 800: While this event isn't contested at the D3 Championship, it is interesting to see what schools can field. Three teams are seeded at 9:30 or faster: two from Wesleyan, one from Conn College.

First weekend of indoor track 2026 is in the books. Sparse action, with just two distance teams competing - Conn College and Wesleyan - at the Wesleyan Indoor Invite (flat).

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1000

Two top performances were turned in by Camels, along with nice starts to the season for others.

Alexa Estes (SR Conn College) ran a banked track equivalent of 2:54.58 (actual 2:56.48). That's not far off from her best (only) time last season, where she went 2:52.63 at the banked BU Valentine mid-February.

Grace McDonough (SR Conn College) was right there with her teammate Alex, also running the banked equivalent of 2:54.58 (actual 2:56.49). Only 1/100th a second separated the two of them. Note that last season, only 25/100th of a second separated their best times. Very well matched on mid-distance.

Genevieve Minard (SO Wesleyan) PR'd with her banked equivalent of 3:02.97 (actual 3:04.97).

Elanora Smith (JR Wesleyan) ran a banked equivalent of 3:04.37 (actual 3:06.38).

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MILE

The two fastest times were delivered by athletes who played soccer in the fall. Hmm...perhaps midfielders have to run the most during matches?

Kaitlyn Connors (FR Wesleyan) introduced herself to the NESCAC with her banked equivalent of 5:11.93 (actual 5:15.02). That's quite a time for the soccer midfielder.

LK Tucker (JR Conn College) was a second behind Caitlin, running a banked equivalent of 5:12.92 (actual 5:16.02). A nice PR for the soccer midfielder.

April Schilling (JR Conn College) got herself a new PR with her 5:13.17 (actual 5:16.27).

Steph Ager (SR Wesleyan) got her first mile of the season under her belt, running a banked equivalent 5:14.92 (actual 5:18.04).

Alexandra Weingard (JR Wesleyan) established her best mile time, with a banked equivalent of 5:15.73 (actual 5:16.27). She picks up where she left off last spring, where she ran 4:52.91 for 1500.

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3000

Three Cardinals ran times under 11:00.

Alexandra Simon (SR Wesleyan) was the fastest NESCAC athlete with a banked equivalent of 10:37.78 (actual 10:43.25).

Clare Mahedy (FR Wesleyan) kicked off her rookie indoor season with a banked equivalent of 10:41.08 (actual 10:46.58). That's a great pickup from her high school PR of 10:56.33.

Margaret Stevens (JR Wesleyan) ran a banked equivalent of 10:41.69 (actual 10:47.19).

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4 x 800

Connecticut College A team - Grace McDonough, Abby Williams, Liz Freeman, Abby Fernald - ran a banked equivalent of 9:44.47 (actual 9:51.21).

Wesleyan A team - Elanora Smith, Mia Vientos, Kaitlyn Connors, Ellie Green - finished just 2½ seconds back with their banked equivalent of 9:47.00 (actual 9:53.77).

Wesleyan B team - Chase Cerrell, Clare Mahedy, Genevieve Minard, Margaret Stevens - finished a similar 2½ second behind their A team with their 9:49.47 (actual 9:56.27).

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MVP

Alexa Estes (SR Conn College) gets the MVP nod this week for her 2:54.58 1000. Recall that Alexa qualified for the 800 nationals last indoor season. She kicks things off well this season, winning the 1000 this weekend. Getting past her teammate Grace McDonough is no mean feat.

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BIG-TIME PERFORMANCE

Grace McDonough (SR Conn College) dropped a very strong 2:54.58. Grace really has range, from the 800 to the 6K (13th at the D3 XC Championship).

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SURPRISES OF THE WEEK

We got three of 'em this week. Two are the soccer playing athletes.

Kaitlyn Connors (FR Wesleyan) surprised because we didn't see her in XC. But she clearly got herself in shape with all that soccer-playing. Now, her 5:11.93 isn't surprising when you know her high school performances. Her 1600 PR was 5:04.44, where she similarly didn't do cross country.

LK Tucker (JR Conn College) set a PR, off her soccer playing this past fall. Given she's a junior, it's impressive she ran that banked equivalent 5:12.92 without doing XC. She keeps improving!

Genevieve Minard (SO Wesleyan) dropped almost 6 seconds off her previous 1000 PR of 3:08.62, running that banked equivalent 3:02.97. That time would have ranked her 12th for indoor in the NESCAC last year.

NESCAC teams are busy at seven different meets this weekend. All teams competing except Colby.

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Middlebury Winter Classic (Jan 16-17)
flat track

Amherst, Middlebury, Williams are competing in Vermont. The 5000 is Friday night, and is limited in entries. The action picks up Saturday. Most of Williams' NCAA Championships Cross Country team are entered in the mile, all seeded at 5:04. No Audrey Maclean (JR Middlebury) at this meet. Amherst puts its focus on the 1000 and the 3000. Superfrosh Ani Bailin (Amherst) and Claire Palmer (Middlebury) face off in the 3000.

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Branwen Smith-King Invitational (Jan 17)
flat track

Tufts hosts this meet, with fellow NESCACs Bowdoin and Trinity competing. The mile is stacked with Jumbos, as is the 1000. Bowdoin limited its entries to two in the 1000. Trinity focused on the mile and the 3000.

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Coast Guard Winter Invite #1 (Jan 17)
flat track

Conn College heads to New London, CT for this meet hosted by the Coast Guard Academy. Unclear who is running, no entries posted as of this writing.

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Suffolk Ice Breaker Challenge (Jan 18)
banked track

Conn College is also entered in this meet, held in Boston at the Track at New Balance. No entry information has been posted yet.

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NYC Gotham Cup (Jan 16)
banked track

Wesleyan heads over to Staten Island's Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex for this meet. They're going in fully, with entries from the 800 to the 3000, plus the DMR.

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Bates Invitational (Jan 17)
flat track

Bates hosts this meet, and they are the only NESCAC running distance events. The Bobcats have entries from the 800 to the 3000, plus the DMR.

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Utica University Winter Opener (Jan 16)
flat track

Hamilton makes the 17 minute drive to Utica University for this meet. They have a smattering of entries across different events.

Weekend of Jan 16-18 is a wrap, and there were some mighty performances. Impressive showing this early in the season. Let's break it down. Reminder that flat track times are converted to banked track equivalents using the NCAA official ratios. This year's D3 Indoor Championship will be held on a banked track.

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800

New leaders in the 800 emerged from three different meets.

Hannah Pawlowski (FR Bates) tops the current 800 list, with her 2:18.15 (actual 2:19.74) at the flat track Bates Invitational. She comes at the 800 from a sprinters background, rather than a distance one. She didn't run XC.

Elanora Smith (JR Wesleyan) got herself a new PR with a 2:18.47 at NYC Gotham.

Kylie Musante (SR Bates) is currently ranked 3rd in the NESCAC with her 2:20.89 (actual 2:22.52) at the Bates Invitational.

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1000

For event that isn't contested as the NCAA Championship, the 1000 gets raced a lot. It is a great event. Since the 800 is contested outdoors, NCAA should consider making the 1000 the event indoors. But I digress.

LK Tucker (JR Conn College) joined the sub-3:00 club this season with her 2:58.91 at Suffolk. The soccer-playing Camel improved on her performance from last week in the mile. More running time is pushing her up the ranks in the NESCAC.

Ginger Long (FR Williams), a freshman to watch from cross country, is also on the board with her 2:58.97 (actual 3:00.93) at Middlebury. That makes four sub-3:00 runners in the conference so far.

Kaitlyn Connors (FR Wesleyan) is another first year coming strong out of the gate, going 3:00.23 at NYC Gotham.

Julia Dolce (SR Tufts) with a sweet new PR of 3:00.97 (actual 3:02.95). Let's hear it for seniors getting their fastest times yet!

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MILE

Some terrific performances in the mile this week. Three NESCAC athletes rank in the top 10 for D3.

Morgan Eigel (JR Williams) tops the NESCAC with her new PR of 4:55.52 (actual 4:58.45) at Middlebury. She is now #2 in the country. In the race, she shadowed teammate Kate Tuttle, then hit the afterburners in the last 50 meters.

Kate Tuttle (SO Williams), the #2 finisher in last year's D3 Indoor Championships, delivered an outstanding 4:55.93 (actual 4:58.86) at Middlebury. She's #3 in the country.

Alexa Estes (SR Conn College) dropped a new PR with her 4:59.44 at Suffolk. Alexa is not a frequent mile racer, preferring shorter sprints/middle distances. But perhaps her #8 ranking in D3 will make her consider the distance more.

Charlene Peng (SR Williams) also got a new PR with her 5:01.11 (actual 5:04.09) at Middlebury. Yeah senior!

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3000

We got two new performances of sub-10:00 this weekend, putting NESCAC athletes #2 and #3 in D3.

Grace McDonough (SR Conn College) continues her tear across events, setting a new PR with her 9:45.85 at Suffolk. She is #2 in the country.

Claire Palmer (FR Middlebury), the rookie XC sensation for Middlebury, threw down a terrific 9:50.07 (actual 9:55.13) at Middlebury. The freshman is now #3 in the country.

Ani Ballin (Fr Amherst), another of the fantastic first years, went 10:07.42 (actual 10:12.63) at Middlebury.

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5000

The 25-lap event wasn't contested much this weekend.

Jean Baker (JR Middlebury) ran 18:47.36 (actual 18:55.99) at Middlebury. That's a great pickup vs. her flat track time of 19:43.13 last year at the same meet.

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DMR

Three teams ran nationally ranked DMR times this weekend.

Amherst (Piper Lentz, Leila Bata, Zoe Marcus, Katie Greenwald) got a 12:21.87 (actual 12:29.82) at Middlebury. That ranks #3 in the country.

WesleyanA (Genevieve Minard, Juliette Sullivan, Elanora Smith, Kaitlyn Connors) ran a 12:34.00 at NYC Gotham, ranking them #4 in the country.

Wesleyan B (Clare Mahedy, Jane Kakalec, Mia Vientos, Alexandra Simon) ran close behind their teammates with 12:45.49, good for #6 nationally.

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4 x 800

Williams (Clara Gahm, Jordan Liss-Riordan, Ginger Long, Kate Tuttle) went 9:24.17 (actual 9:30.68) at Middlebury. That's an average of 2:21 per leg.

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MVP

We got two of 'em this week.

Morgan Eigel (JR Williams) gets the nod for her 4:55.52 in the mile. For context, her previous best was 5:11.78, last year on the TRACK at New Balance. 15 second PR? #2 in the country? Oh my goodness yes, M-V-P!

Grace McDonough (SR Conn College) is also MVP for her terrific 9:45.85 in the 3000. That's a 15 second improvement on her 10:00.95 at Suffolk last year. And she's similar ranked #2 in the country.

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BIG-TIME PERFORMANCES

So many this weekend!

Kate Tuttle (FR Williams) leads the category this week with her 4:55.93 mile at Middlebury. She actually led most of the race, channeling her inner Pre.

Claire Palmer (FR Middlebury) made a statement with her 9:50.07 in the 3000 at Middlebury. That is an extraordinary time; an equivalent performance in the mile would be 4:56.81.

Alexa Estes (SR Conn College) was huge with her 4:59.44 at Suffolk. That time blows the doors off any of her previous mile effort, by a huge margin. It is in keep with her outdoor 1500 best.

LK Tucker (JR Conn College), the Camels' soccer midfielder, impressed with her sub-3:00 1000 of 2:58.91.

Ginger Long (FR Williams) similarly displayed a power performance in the 1000 with her 2:58.97. On an Ephs team full of studs, Ginger stood out for her race this weekend.

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SURPRISES OF THE WEEK

Two athletes get the Surprise recognition this week.

Samara McVey (SO Tufts) brought the heat with her 5:12.71 (actual 5:15.81) at Branwen Smith King. That time is such a big improvement. Her best mile her first year was 5:28.00 (actual 5:31.24). Her best 1500 outdoors was 5:01.28; her 5:12.71 on Saturday is equivalent to a 4:48.87 in the 1500. This was a huge step forward.

Hannah Pawlowski (FR Bates) moved to the top of the conference rankings in the 800 with her 2:18.15 at the Bates Invitational. A sprint-oriented athlete who didn't run XC, she extended herself to the 800 distance. In high school she went 59.63 in the 400. But she would do the 800 too, with a PR of 2:20.27.

A little slower on the meet front this weekend. But there is some action, and it doesn't appear to be at risk due to the big snowstorm hitting much of the country. The distance teams for Bates, Tufts, and Williams are off this weekend.

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Massasoit Classic (Jan 24)
Springfield University (Springfield, MA)
flat track

Amherst, Conn College, Trinity all have the Massaoit Classic on their schedules. No entries posted for this meet as of this writing.

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Luke Hotte Meet (Jan 24)
Middlebury
flat track

Middlebury is fielding its top distance athletes in its own hosted meet. Audrey Maclean (JR) is not running indoor track for the Panthers, could be she's abroad for the Midd Winter Term.

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Gordon Kelly Invitational (Jan 24)
MIT
flat track

Bowdoin will be racing at this meet hosted by distance powerhouse MIT. The Polar Bears have five of their seven NCAA XC Championship squad running.

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Wesleyan Indoor Invite II
Wesleyan
flat track

Wesleyan hosts this meet. Entries have not been posted as of this writing.

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Colby Mini Meet (Jan 23)
Colby
flat track

Colby hosts this meet. No entries posted as of this writing.

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St. Lawrence Invitational
St. Lawrence University (Canton, NY)
flat track

Hamilton heads to upstate New York for this meet.

Friday-Saturday timing for this past weekend worked out well. Snow didn't hit the northeast hard until Sunday. Results from the middle of winter below.

Special shout-out for Colby's hosted meet, Colby Mini Meet. It's called "Colby Mini Me" on TFRRS.

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800

🚨 NEW LEADER ALERT

Annelise Jensen (FR Middlebury) torched the field at the Panthers' hosted Luke Hotte Invite with her 2:15.89 (actual 2:17.46). She now leads the NESCAC in that event.

Lily Bulczynski (SR Middlebury) was next at Luke Hotte, running 2:19.45 (actual 2:21.06). Lily is a strong mid-distance runner, and she's set down her first marker for the season.

Caroline VanSchaick (JR Middlebury) rounded out the hot times at Luke Hotte, going 2:20.34 (actual 2:21.96). She's picking up from outdoor track, where she ran a 2:17.75 at the NESCACs.

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1000

Laura White (FR Bowdoin), the Polar Bears' superb rookie, joined the sub-3:00 club with her 2:59.56 (actual 3:01.52) at MIT's Gordon Kelly Invitational. She's the 5th NESCAC runner to go sub 3.

Kaylee Hale (SO Bowdoin) ran her first-ever 1000, going 3:00.50 (actual 3:02.47). A speedy 800 runner, she establishes a strong baseline in the 1000.

Maddie Bush (JR Colby) won the Mini Me 1000 with her 3:04.67 (actual 3:06.69).

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MILE

Claire Palmer (FR Middlebury), the Panthers super frosh, moved to the #5 slot in NESCAC with her 5:02.19 (actual 5:05.18).

Emma Chrismer (SO Hamilton) set a new PR with her 5:14.90 (actual 5:18.02) at St Lawrence University.

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3000

Cam Meyer (SO Bowdoin) threw down a strong 3000 at MIT with her 10:25.51 (actual 10:30.87). That's a big PR for her, by 22 seconds!

Grace Kaelber (FR Middlebury), from the Panthers' NCAA XC Championship squad, got her season underway with a 10:42.69 (actual 10:48.20).

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5000

Josie Dolan (SR Middlebury) gets the spotlight this week with her 18:44.24 (actual 18:52.85). That's her fastest time since the 2024 outdoor season.

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MVP

Annelise Jensen (FR Middlebury) who had such a strong start in XC before having to sit out the latter part of the season, showed she's back to racing form with her 2:15.89. Her PR from high school is 2:12.41, so she's got wheels. Annelise is now ranked #10 in D3 for the 800.

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BIG-TIME PERFORMANCES

All about the first years this week.

Laura White (FR Bowdoin) delivered with her 2:59.56 (actual 3:01.52). That's kicking off her freshman season in style. For comparison, her flat track PR in high school was 3:07.02. This was a HUGE PR for her, she's really advanced this first year.

Claire Palmer (FR Middlebury), who got a Big-Time Performance shout-out last week with her 3000, shows up again this week with her 5:02.19 mile. She's continued to be a top performer since her 23rd place finish at the NCAA XC Championship.

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SURPRISE OF THE WEEK

Audrey Stevens (SO Bowdoin) delivered a huge PR in the 1000 with her 3:05.30. That's a monstrous 12 second pickup vs. her 1000 time last year. Audrey did XC, but was not on the Polar Bears' varsity squad. Her 1500 PR from last spring is 5:05.60; this 1000 is the equivalent of running a 4:55.11. Fantastic season debut by Audrey.

NESCAC running centers on the Boston area this weekend. The women's distance teams are running three different meets from Friday through Sunday. Bowdoin is off this week.

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BU Terrier (Jan 30)
banked track

Women run Friday, men run Saturday. BU is known as a PR track, with some magic sauce that delivers fast performances. Asking why, Google AI returns:

Teams running the event on Friday: Colby, Conn College, Trinity, Tufts, Wesleyan, Williams. A number of conference leaders are entered, including Grace McDonough (SR Conn College), Alexa Estes (SR Conn College), Kate Tuttle (SO Williams), Morgan Eigel (JR Williams), Zui Chinchalkar (FR Tufts), Elizabeth Donahue (SR Tufts).

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NESCI (Feb 1)
banked track

Middlebury hosts the New England Small College Invitational at The Track at New Balance in Boston. The NB track is also a fast venue. This meet on Feb 1 (keep an eye on the snow forecast for Sunday) has the following NESCAC teams participating: Amherst, Bates, Conn College, Hamilton, Middlebury, Trinity, Wesleyan. Entries not yet posted as of this writing.

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Harvard Invitational (Jan 31)
banked track

Tufts and Williams have runners entered for the Harvard meet. Similar to BU Terrier, the sexes run different days: men on Friday, women on Saturday.

Any guess on what time it will take to get to Nationals in the womens DMR?
Only sub 12?

Reviewing qualifying times from last year, looks like it took going around 11:50 (banked) to qualify for NCAAs.

So no NESCAC teams are in qualifying territory thus far. Not sure which remaining meets in the NE will have a DMR race?

In last year's list of top DMR times in D3, two meets were where NESCACs got their times: BU Valentine and Tufts Final Qualifier. Both of those are still to come this season.

If the track team wants you (email the coach and find out) normally they make slight, slight exceptions for athletes at least thats what I’ve been told by coaches. So who knows, prolly, depends if they want you.

Boston delivered this weekend, with many great performances across three meets: BU Terrier, Harvard, NESCI. We have new conference leaders for three different individual events.

Before detailing performances by event, a special shout-out for several athletes who doubled across two different meets.

Conn College
- Grace McDonough: mile twice (BU Terrier, NESCI)
- Alexa Estes: 800 twice (BU Terrier, NESCI)
- April Schilling: 800 twice (BU Terrier, NESCI)
- LK Tucker: 800 twice (BU Terrier, NESCI)

Tufts
- Julia Dolce: 1000 (Harvard), mile (BU Terrier)
- Lily Simmonds: 1000 (Harvard), mile (BU Terrier)
- Phoebe Bryar: 1000 (Harvard), 800 (BU Terrier)

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800

🚨 NEW LEADER ALERT

Annika Paluska (SO Williams) vaulted to the NESCAC lead with her 2:10.90 at BU. The NCAA Indoor Championship qualifier from last year is now #3 in D3.

Alexa Estes (SR Conn College) is now 2nd in the NESCAC with her 2:12.03 at BU. She was a model of consistency, running 2:12.43 at NESCI. Alexa, also a qualifier for nationals last year, is now #4 in D3.

Hannah Pawlowski (FR Bates) dropped her time again, now with a 2:14.01 at BU. The sprint-oriented 800 runner is ranked #9 in D3, and third in the NESCAC.

Elanora Smith (JR Wesleyan) continues to tighten the vise, running a new PR of 2:17.61 at BU. That puts her #5 in the NESCAC.

April Schilling (JR Conn College) and LK Tucker (JR Conn College) tied one another, each going 2:17.80 at NESCI. For April that was a PR, and LK was just tenths of seconds from her outdoor PR.

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1000

Julia Dolce (SR Tufts) delivered the fastest 1000 of the weekend, getting a new PR of 3:00.05 at Harvard. The senior is off to a terrific start in indoor, with new bests in the 1000 and mile. Both PRs came from her doubling this weekend.

Kaya West (JR Tufts) got a new PR with her 3:01.13 at BU, a drop of several seconds from her previous best.

Lily Simmonds (FR Tufts) got her first 1000 of her college career, a very quick 3:03.74. Especially impressive as this was after her 5:11.66 at BU earlier in the day.

Maddie Bush (JR Colby) set a new PR with her 3:04.03 at BU.

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MILE

🚨 NEW LEADER ALERT

There goes that woman again. Grace McDonough (SR Conn College) moved to the top of the NESCAC with her 4:50.32 at BU. That time paces her #3 in D3.

Piper Lentz (SR Amherst) joined the sub 5 club, with her PR of 4:58.65 at NESCI. She is now #4 in the NESCAC. Go senior!

Jordan Liss-Riordan (JR Williams) joined the sub 5 club as well with her 4:59.14 at BU. That's a great build off a successful XC season.

Elizabeth Donahue (SR Tufts) is now a sub 5-er too, with her 4:59.37 at BU. She is an infrequent miler (tends to run 3000, 5000, and 10,000), but she took full advantage of the opportunity this weekend.

Ginger Long (FR Williams) got her first indoor mile done in fine fashion, running 5:01.55. That is a lifetime PR for the Ephs rookie.

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3000

🚨 NEW LEADER ALERT

The Ephs XC varsity squad showed out in the 3000 at BU.

Kate Tuttle (SO Williams) has done it again, setting a new PR of 9:39.08. That time puts her #4 in D3. And tops in the NESCAC.

Morgan Eigel (JR Williams) ran her new PR with a 9:44.86. For comparison, she ran 9:57.25 last, so a solid pickup.

Charlene Peng (SR Williams) wasn't too far behind her teammate, going 9:46.82 for a new PR.

Tamar Byl (JR Williams) joined the Ephs' sub-10 performances, with her 9:51.49 PR.

Deirdre Flanagan (JR Tufts) has her first 3000 in the books, with an impressive 10:07.14 at BU.

Taylor Harris (SR Hamilton) is having her best indoor season thus far. She got a new PR with her 10:12.69. Go senior!

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5000

Three women went sub 18 over the weekend.

Fiona Picone (SR Williams) led the NESCAC performances with her 17:44.81 at BU. She is now 8th in the conference.

Zoe Margolies (SO Tufts) ran an impressive 17:50.95 at BU, a PR for her.

Ava Thomas (SO Amherst) won the NESCI 5000 with her 17:56.27. She bided her time for the first part of the race running in the lead pack, then put the hammer down the last six laps to win by 20 seconds. Her last three laps were 42.35, 41.00, 37.74. Each of those was roughly 3+ seconds faster than the field.

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4 x 800

While not an NCAA Championship event, it is a classic relay.

Amherst (Piper Lentz, Zoe Marcus, Maya Levine, Audrey Seeger) threw down a very nice 9:20.34 ath NESCI. That's an average of 2:20 per leg.

Conn College (Grace McDonough, Abby Fernald, Caroline Graziani, Liz Freeman) dropped a 9:45 at NESCI.

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MVP

We got three of 'em this week.

Grace McDonough (SR Conn College) for her terrific BU 4:50.32 mile. Her heat featured D1 runners from BYU, Boston University, U San Francisco, and Stanford. That time ranks her #3 in D3. She then came back with a 4:55.74 at NESCI.

Annika Paluska (SO Williams) brought the heat with her 800 at BU, a blazing 2:10.90. Her sophomore campaign is off to great start. Last year she ranked 13th in D3 by the end of the season before heading to NCAAs. Currently she's #3.

Kate Tuttle (SO Williams) got a sub 9:40 3000 at BU with her 9:39.08. She won her heat of 18 runners. Twice in her freshman indoor season she went 9:47 for the 3000; this was a nice breakthrough for her. Kate is now ranked #4 in D3.

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BIG-TIME PERFORMANCES

Alexa Estes (SR Conn College) was fire with her double 2:12 performances this weekend. She's 4th ranked in D3, look out.

Three new members of the sub-5 mile club: Piper Lentz (SR Amherst), Jordan Liss-Riordan (JR Williams), Elizabeth Donahue (SR Tufts). The sub 5 mile is one of the great accomplishments in running, and these three got it done.

The Ephs XC varsity squad all going sub-10 in the 3000: Morgan Eigel (JR Williams), Charlene Peng (SR Williams), Tamar Byl (JR Williams).

Hannah Pawlowski (FR Bates) has been a revelation this season, with her latest 800 at 2:14.01. She is 9th ranked in D3.

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SURPRISES OF THE WEEK

We've got two this week.

Ava Del Vescovo (JR Trinity) crushed it with her 5:17.00 mile at BU. That is a meaningful PR for her. She started her college career with a 5:40.84 mile freshman year, and a 5:37.69 her sophomore year. This 5:17 is another level, a real breakthrough for her.

Maya Levine (SO Amherst) delivered an incredible mile with her 5:06.71 at NESCI. For perspective, her mile time her freshman season was a flat track 5:32.46. In cross country, she ran strongly but wasn't on the varsity squad. Now? She just smoked a 5:06! Wow Maya.

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One bit of follow up on a top freshman from last season, Keira Rogan, who elected to transfer from Hamilton after last year. Per an article in the Troy Record, Keira is an incoming transfer to Syracuse. She'll be on the XC squad for the Orange this fall.

These recaps are awesome!

The winter grind continues with several meets this weekend. As does the cold, with the northeast continuing the sub-freezing temps. Williams is off this weekend.

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Tufts Invitational (Feb 7)
flat track

NESCACs Amherst, Middlebury, Tufts, Wesleyan are joined by Brandeis (UAA) and WPI (NEWMAC) in this meet hosted by Tufts. Based on entries, looks like a stacked field. One highlight will be the 3000, with Claire Palmer (FR Middlebury), Flora Biro (SO Amherst), and Elizabeth Donahue (SR Tufts) all seeded sub 10:00.

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Maine State Meet (Feb 7)
flat track

The annual get-together of Maine teams Bates, Bowdoin, and Colby is hosted by Bates this year.

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Coast Guard Academy Bear Invitational (Feb 6)
flat track

Conn College heads to New London, CT for this one. No entries yet, but looking at the teams competing - Farmingdale, Westfield State, Worcester State, Eastern CT state, Fitchburg State - this looks like a lower level meet vs. last weekend's high wattage meets.

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Blue and Orange Invitational (Feb 6-7)
Utica University
flat track

Hamilton heads to its favorite nearby venue at Utica for this one.

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Wheaton Invitational (Feb 7)
Wheaton College (Norton, MA)
flat track

Trinity heads to this 8-team event. Based on entries, it looks like their top runners are taking the weekend off.