NEW HAVEN, Conn. – After ending 2024 on a high note with dominant performances at their first two meets, the University of New Haven Women's Track and Field team looked to carry that momentum into the new year as they returned to the track at the William Sutherland Invitational hosted by Southern Connecticut State University. The throwers got the new year started at a midweek meet but now it was the full team returning to action in a busy weekend as the Sutherland Invitational was their first of two meets for the weekend.
Jada Kamtha (St. Catherine, Jamaica/Wolmer's Trust High School for Girls) continued to lead the Chargers in the same pit as New Haven claimed the top two spots in the women's long jump. Kamtha led the way with a winning jump of 5.77(m) meters, and teammate D'Jior Delisser (/) finished second with a mark of 5.62m.
Molly Clark (Sayville, N.Y./Sayville) finished second overall in pole vault clearing 2.65m on her first attempt at that height after clearing the previous two heights as well on opening attempts.
Anita Hodge (Fords, N.J./Woodbridge) finished second overall in the weight throw with her best mark coming on her second throw with a mark of 13.67m.
In shot put, a pair of Chargers claimed top spots, as Alanah Weaver (Wilmington, Del./Archmere Academy) finished second overall with a mark of 11.07m on her final throw of the event, besting teammate Ashley Craig (Teaneck, N.J./Teaneck) who finished third overall with a mark of 11.05m.
Gabrielle Teel (Willow Grove, Pa./Upper Moreland), carried the Chargers success in the sand pit into the triple jump, where Teel finished with the Chargers second win of the meet. Teel on her third jump landed a mark of 11.93m to claim the top spot and take home the win for herself and New Haven.
On the track Kamtha and Aniya Bush (Williamstown, N.J./Williamstown), each qualified for the finals of the 55m hurdles as Kamtha crossed with the fastest time of prelims, 8.43, and Bush crossed with the third fastest time, 8.74. Kamtha in the finals once again crossed with the fastest time winning the event with a time of 8.50.
In the one mile run, a pair of Chargers claimed the top spots as it was Angelina Schilling (Sewell, N.J./Deptford Township) running the fastest time to claim the win crossing in 5:49.69. Teammate Elsie Kaas (Elverson, Pa./Bishop Shanahan) finished second overall with a final time of 5:50.55.
A pair of Chargers finished in the top three in the 300m, as Rayniah Mercedat (/) crossed with a time of 43.22 to finish second overall, and teammate Lakay-Sha Clarke (/) finished third overall with a time of 43.51.
In the 800m, Jada Bonds (Edison, N.J./Edison), took home the win, crossing with a winning time of 2:42.31 and teammate, Christina Crowley finished third overall with a time of 2:47.56.
Miana Quinonez (/) finished second overall in the high jump clearing 1.53m after progressing up from 1.33m, Quinonez cleared her second place mark on her second attempt.
In the relays, it was the 4x400m relay team of Rayniah Mercedat (/), Jada Bonds (Edison, N.J./Edison), Deja Harris, and Lakay-Sha Clarke (/) took home the win with a time of 4:25.99. The team of Christina Crowley, Emily Mazzucco (East Haven, Conn./East Haven), Gabriella Chavez (Arlington Heights, Ill./Prospect), Isabella Bostic (Saint Johnsbury, Vt./St. Johnsbury Academy) finished third overall with a time of 4:36.02.
With the strong start to the new year and carrying the momentum, New Haven now has a short recovery night as the blue and gold return to the track on Sunday, January 12, when they have to make the longer trip to Boston, Massachusetts to run at the UMASS Flagship Meet at The Track at New Balance. All updates, post meet recaps, and postseason news for the team will be available at Newhavenchargers.com.
