PHOTO CREDIT CLORINDA SIMONEAU '28

GORHAM, Maine – The Saint Joseph's College women's track and field team competed at the USM Husky Invitational on Saturday, January 25, 2025. Highlighted by strong finishes across all events the Monks placed eleventh in the thirteen school event. The Husky's of Southern Maine took home the team win with 93 points with Keene State (78.5 pts) and Franklin Pierce (71.5 pts) following in behind respectively.

"The team, both women and men, had a great overall meet today, and it was at an important time of the season where we are trying to find our identity," said Associate Head Coach Tom Dann. "We've had some solid performances throughout the season, but today we took a leap forward. The coaching staff is excited to see what lies ahead over the next few weeks."

MEET HIGHLIGHTS
Freshman Olivia Bean (South Portland, Maine) captured fourth in the Triple Jump (9.96m, 32'8.25") to lead the Monks in the event.

Sophomore Breya Whitman (Auburn, Maine) finished fifth in the High Jump (1.46m, 4'9.5") and placed fifth in the Triple Jump (9.92m, 32'6.5"). Sophomore Ava Smart (South Portland, Maine) secured sixth place in the 400 meters (1:05.26) while anchoring the 4x200 relay team.

Freshman Ellie Leech (Berwick, Maine) led the Monks in the 55 meters, finishing eleventh overall (7.93), and placed seventh in the 200 meters (28.43). Leech also placed tenth in the Shot Put with a 10.11m effort

SPRINTS AND RELAYS
Leech led the charge in the 55 meters, finishing eleventh (7.93), followed by Zoe Indenga in 20th (8.11) and Jemima Kabangu (Portland, Maine) in 29th (8.54).

In the 200 meters, Leech earned seventh place (28.43), with Kabangu finishing 23rd (31.01). 
Smart placed sixth in the 400 meters (1:05.26) and contributed to the 4x200 relay team of Alexis Cowan (Nottingham, N.H.), Kabangu, and Madalyn Guindon (Biddeford, Maine), which placed seventh (2:02.20).

DISTANCE EVENTS
Freshman Haley Williams (Winthrop, Maine) kicked off her first indoor competition for the Monks in the Mile, finishing 8th (6:14.75).
Emilie Defrancesco (Belmont, N.H.) competed in the 800 meters, placing eleventh (2:49.99).

JUMPS
Bean placed fourth in the Triple Jump (9.96m, 32'8.25"), while Whitman followed closely in fifth (9.92m, 32'6.5"). Whitman also secured a fifth place finish in the High Jump with a 1.46m effort.

Freshman Ella Labrie (Gorham, Maine) led the Long Jump for the monks with a nineth-place finish (4.72m, 15'6").

THROWS
O'Brien placed nineth in the Weight Throw (12.60m, 41'4.25"), with Katelynn Reynolds (North Berwick, Maine) and Sarah Joe (Londonderry, N.H.) following in 24th (10.76m, 35'3.75") and 30th (9.90m, 32'5.75"), respectively.

Leech added a 10th-place finish in the Shot Put (10.11m, 33'2").

RESULTS

Women's 55 Meters
Ellie Leech (7.93, 11th)
Zoe Indenga (8.11, 20th)
Jemima Kabangu (8.54, 29th)

Women's 200 Meters
Ellie Leech (28.43, 7th)
Jemima Kabangu (31.01, 23rd)

Women's 400 Meters
Ava Smart (1:05.26, 6th)

Women's 800 Meters
Emilie Defrancesco (2:49.99, 11th)

Women's Mile
Haley Williams (6:14.75, 8th)

Women's 55-Meter Hurdles
Audrey Bilodeau (9.10, 6th)

Women's High Jump
Breya Whitman (1.46m, 5th)

Women's Long Jump
Ella Labrie (4.72m, 9th)
Olivia Bean (4.43m, 16th)
Alexis Cowan (4.35m, 17th)

Women's Triple Jump
Olivia Bean (9.96m, 4th)
Breya Whitman (9.92m, 5th)
Alexis Cowan (8.94m, 11th)

Women's Shot Put
Ellie Leech (10.11m, 10th)
Katelynn Reynolds (8.84m, 22nd)

Women's Weight Throw
Abby O'Brien (12.60m, 9th)
Katelynn Reynolds (10.76m, 24th)
Sarah Joe (9.90m, 30th)

Women's 4x200 Relay
Cowan, Kabangu, Indenga, Guindon – 2:02.20 (7th)

UP NEXT
The Monks return to competition at the John Thomas Terrier Classic on January 31, 2025, in Boston, MA.