BOSTON, Mass. – The Saint Joseph's College women's track and field team posted its best finish in program history at the 2025 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Indoor Championship on Sunday, February 16, at the Boston University Track & Tennis Center. The Monks tallied 66 points to secure a third-place finish, marking their highest placement in a full GNAC field since the inaugural Championship meet in 2020.
"Proud of the way our women battled and supported each other this season," said Head Coach Mike Burleson. "We took a big step forward as a program, and it was great to see that show with our highest finish at the conference championship. Huge shoutout to our amazing seniors who have been instrumental in growing this program! Look for this group to be hungry for the outdoor season."
MEET HIGHLIGHTS
- Aubrey Bilodeau (Lewiston, Maine) became a GNAC Champion, winning the 60m hurdles in a GNAC-leading time of 9.60, a Division III New England Championship qualifying mark.
- Ellie Leech (Berwick, Maine) claimed the GNAC title in shot put, throwing 10.41m (34'2") to take first place in her first-ever conference championship.
- Breya Whitman (Auburn, Maine) cleared 1.46m (4'9.5") in the high jump, finishing third to round out SJC's podium performances.
- Bella Koepsell (Falmouth, Maine) battled in a deep 800m field to place third (2:32.01) and secure an All-GNAC nod.
- Olivia Bean (South Portland, Maine) impressed in the triple jump, finishing third with a leap of 10.26m (33'8").
- Ella Labrie (Gorham, Maine) soared to a runner-up finish in the long jump, posting a mark of 4.90m (16'1").
- The 4x400 relay team of Young, Koepsell, Smart, and Bilodeau placed fourth in 4:26.69, contributing key team points.
- Abby O'Brien (Gorham, Maine) took third in the weight throw (12.19m, 40'0"), continuing her consistent season in the event.
ON THE PODIUM (Top-Three Finishers)
GNAC Champions
- 60m Hurdles: 1st – Aubrey Bilodeau (9.60)
- Shot Put: 1st – Ellie Leech (10.41m)
Runner-Up
Third Place
SPRINTS AND RELAYS
Freshman Ellie Leech advanced to the 60m final, placing 8th in 8.55 after running 8.62 in prelims. She was joined in the preliminary round by Zoe Indenga ( 8.65, 11th), Jemima Kabangu (9.05, 18th), and Christie Cole ( 9.14, 20th).
In the 200m, Ava Smart led the team, finishing 11th in 28.58, followed closely by Leech (28.84, 12th). Kabangu (30.14, 20th) and Ava Richards ( 31.48, 24th) also competed.
Audrey Bilodeau recorded a sixth-place finish in the 400m, running 1:03.32, with Smart finishing 9th in 1:05.75.
The 4x400 relay team of Young, Koepsell, Smart, and Bilodeau finished fourth in 4:26.69, earning key points for the Monks.
DISTANCE EVENTS
Freshman Bella Koepsell secured a podium finish in the 800m, placing third in 2:32.01. Alexia Young ( 2:35.57, 7th) and Emilie Defrancesco ( 2:44.65, 12th) added depth to the event.
Haley Williams competed in both the 3000m (12:39.40, 9th) and the 5000m (21:17.05, 4th), contributing valuable points in the distance events.
HURDLES AND JUMPS
Bilodeau dominated the 60m hurdles, winning the GNAC title in 9.60, after qualifying first in prelims with a DIII New England Championship-qualifying 9.55. Madalyn Guindon (Saco, Maine) also reached the final, placing 7th in 10.65.
In the high jump, Whitman placed third (1.46m), while Guindon was unable to clear the opening height.
Labrie earned silver in the long jump (4.90m), with Cowan (4.62m, 6th) also scoring. Bean (4.35m, 13th), Whitman (4.24m, 16th), and Huot (4.15m, 18th) rounded out the lineup.
Bean claimed bronze in the triple jump (10.26m), while Whitman (9.62m, 5th), Cowan (9.20m, 9th), and Mohamed (8.07m, 11th) also competed.
THROWS
Leech won the shot put title (10.41m) in her championship debut, with Reynolds placing 7th (9.01m).
O'Brien secured third in the weight throw (12.19m), while Reynolds (10.63m, 10th) and Sarah Joe (9.76m, 13th) added strong performances.
RESULTS
Women's 60 Meters
Ellie Leech (8.55, 8th)
Zoe Indenga (8.65, 11th)
Jemima Kabangu (9.05, 18th)
Christie Cole (9.14, 20th)
Women's 200 Meters
Ava Smart (28.58, 11th)
Ellie Leech (28.84, 12th)
Jemima Kabangu (30.14, 20th)
Ava Richards (31.48, 24th)
Women's 400 Meters
Audrey Bilodeau (1:03.32, 6th)
Ava Smart (1:05.75, 9th)
Women's 4x400 Relay
Young, Koepsell, Smart, Bilodeau (4:26.69, 4th)
Women's Distance Medley Relay
Bean, Defrancesco, Whitman, Huntley (14:48.09, 5th)
Women's 800 Meters
Bella Koepsell (2:32.01, 3rd)
Alexia Young (2:35.57, 7th)
Emilie Defrancesco (2:44.65, 12th)
Women's 3000 Meters
Haley Williams (12:39.40, 9th)
Women's 5000 Meters
Haley Williams (21:17.05, 4th)
Women's 60m Hurdles
Aubrey Bilodeau (9.60, 1st)
Madalyn Guindon (10.65, 7th)
Women's High Jump
Breya Whitman (1.46m, 3rd)
Women's Pole Vault
Jordan Huntley (NH)
Selena Huot (NH)
Women's Long Jump
Ella Labrie (4.90m, 2nd)
Alexis Cowan (4.62m, 6th)
Olivia Bean (4.35m, 13th)
Breya Whitman (4.24m, 16th)
Selena Huot (4.15m, 18th)
Kate Auricchio (3.83m, 19th)
Women's Triple Jump
Olivia Bean (10.26m, 3rd)
Breya Whitman (9.62m, 5th)
Alexis Cowan (9.20m, 9th)
Samira Mohamed (8.07m, 11th)
Women's Shot Put
Ellie Leech (10.41m, 1st)
Katelynn Reynolds (9.01m, 7th)
Women's Weight Throw
Abby O'Brien (12.19m, 3rd)
Katelynn Reynolds (10.63m, 10th)
Sarah Joe (9.76m, 13th)
UP NEXT!
The Monks now turn their attention to the Division III New England Championships. The event will be held on March 1 - 2, 2025, in Boston, Massachusetts.
