BRUNSWICK, Maine – The Saint Joseph's College women's track and field team competed at the State of Maine Championship on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at Bowdoin College. Competing against the top programs in Maine, the Monks accumulated 21 points, securing a sixth-place team finish. Bowdoin College claimed the team title with 200 points, followed by Bates (179.5 points) and Southern Maine (142.5 points). The Monks delivered a series of strong performances across sprints, jumps, throws, and distance events, with several athletes recording season and lifetime bests heading into the conference championship.
"Our women put together a strong meet across the board today. Many season and lifetime bests heading into conferences showcases a season of work," said Head Coach Mike Burleson. "We had veterans leading the way and underclassmen stepping up. These ladies are excited and ready to represent SJC next weekend at the conference championships."
MEET HIGHLIGHTS
Abby O'Brien (Gorham, Maine) led the way in the throws, securing fourth place in the Weight Throw with a mark of 13.00m (42'8"), adding five points to the team total. Freshman Ellie Leech (Berwick, Maine) added a top-10 finish in the Shot Put, placing eighth with a 10.45m (34'3.5") effort.
In the sprints and hurdles, sophomore Audrey Bilodeau (Lewiston, Maine) shined with a fourth-place finish in the 400 meters (1:03.77) and placed ninth in the 60-meter hurdles (9.87). She also contributed to the 4x400 relay team, which finished fifth in 4:24.87.
The distance squad saw freshman Bella Koepsell (Falmouth, Maine) and Emilie Defrancesco (Belmont, N.H.) put in solid performances in the 800 meters, placing 11th (2:37.14) and 12th (2:46.86), respectively. Junior Alexia Young (Rochester, N.H.) recorded a sixth-place finish in the 600 meters (1:49.30).
In the jumps, freshman Ella Labrie (Gorham, Maine) placed ninth in the Long Jump (4.86m, 15'11.5"), while sophomore Breya Whitman (Auburn, Maine) secured ninth in the High Jump (1.46m, 4'9.5").
The relay teams continued to improve, with the 4x200 relay team of Alexis Cowan (Nottingham, N.H.), Jemima Kabangu (Portland, Maine), Zoe Indenga, and Madalyn Guindon (Biddeford, Maine) taking seventh in 1:59.96. The 4x400 relay team of Bilodeau, Smart, Young, and Koepsell placed fifth in 4:24.87.
SPRINTS AND RELAYS
Leech led the 60 meters, finishing 17th (8.54), followed by Indenga in 21st (8.70), Kabangu in 23rd (9.06), and Huntley in 24th (9.29).
Leech also placed 10th in the 200 meters (28.49), with Ava Richards (Williamsburg, Mass.) finishing 18th (31.89).
Bilodeau secured fourth in the 400 meters (1:03.77), while Smart finished eighth (1:04.99). Young clocked 1:49.30 in the 600 meters, placing sixth.
The 4x200 relay team of Cowan, Kabangu, Indenga, and Guindon finished seventh in 1:59.96.
The 4x400 relay team of Bilodeau, Smart, Young, and Koepsell placed fifth in 4:24.87.
DISTANCE EVENTS
Koepsell led the 800 meters, finishing 11th in 2:37.14, with Defrancesco close behind in 12th (2:46.86).
JUMPS
Labrie placed ninth in the Long Jump (4.86m, 15'11.5"), while Whitman finished ninth in the High Jump (1.46m, 4'9.5").
Cowan placed 10th in the Triple Jump (9.72m, 31'10.75"), with Bean finishing 11th (9.64m, 31'7.5").
THROWS
O'Brien secured a fourth-place finish in the Weight Throw (13.00m, 42'8"), with Sarah Joe (Londonderry, N.H.) finishing 19th (10.64m, 34'11") and Reynolds placing 20th (10.52m, 34'6.25").
Leech placed eighth in the Shot Put (10.45m, 34'3.5"), and Reynolds finished 16th (9.32m, 30'7").
RESULTS
Women's 60 Meters
Ellie Leech (8.54, 17th)
Zoe Indenga (8.70, 21st)
Jemima Kabangu (9.06, 23rd)
Jordan Huntley (9.29, 24th)
Women's 200 Meters
Ellie Leech (28.49, 10th)
Ava Richards (31.89, 18th)
Women's 400 Meters
Audrey Bilodeau (1:03.77, 4th)
Ava Smart (1:04.99, 8th)
Women's 600 Meters
Alexia Young (1:49.30, 6th)
Women's 800 Meters
Bella Koepsell (2:37.14, 11th)
Emilie Defrancesco (2:46.86, 12th)
Women's 60-Meter Hurdles
Audrey Bilodeau (9.87, 9th)
Madalyn Guindon (10.62, 16th)
Women's High Jump
Breya Whitman (1.46m, 9th)
Women's Long Jump
Ella Labrie (4.86m, 9th)
Breya Whitman (4.40m, 15th)
Alexis Cowan (4.34m, 17th)
Selena Huot (3.95m, 24th)
Samira Mohamed (3.52m, 25th)
Kate Auricchio (3.28m, 26th)
Women's Triple Jump
Alexis Cowan (9.72m, 10th)
Olivia Bean (9.64m, 11th)
Samira Mohamed (7.84m, 17th)
Women's Shot Put
Ellie Leech (10.45m, 8th)
Katelynn Reynolds (9.32m, 16th)
Women's Weight Throw
Abby O'Brien (13.00m, 4th)
Sarah Joe (10.64m, 19th)
Katelynn Reynolds (10.52m, 20th)
Women's 4x200 Relay
Cowan, Kabangu, Indenga, Guindon – 1:59.96 (7th)
Women's 4x400 Relay
Bilodeau, Smart, Young, Koepsell – 4:24.87 (5th)
UP NEXT
The Monks will compete at the GNAC Indoor Track & Field Championship on February 16, 2025, at Boston University.
