SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The Saint Joseph's College women's track & field team competed at the NCAA Division III New England Outdoor Track & Field Championships, held May 1-2, 2026 at Springfield College, and turned in a strong showing against one of the region's top fields with representation on the track, in the hurdles, relays, and throws.
"It's always rewarding to see our athletes competing at the New England Championship and representing our program so well," said Saint Joseph's head coach Mike Burleson. "Our men and women had some impressive marks and were strongly represented across multiple events.
The Monks were led by junior
Ava Smart, who represented Saint Joseph's in both the 400 meters and the 4x100-meter relay, while junior
Audrey Bilodeau posted another strong performance in the 100-meter hurdles preliminaries. Sophomore
Ellie Leech competed in the javelin, and junior
Jemima Kabangu represented the Monks in the shot put as Saint Joseph's continued its strong postseason presence across multiple event areas.
SPRINTS AND RELAYS
Smart led the Monks on the track with a time of 1:02.42 in the 400 meters, while also helping Saint Joseph's compete in the 4x100-meter relay. The quartet of Smart, Bilodeau, freshman
Olivea Miller, and Leech posted a time of 50.95 to place 16th overall in a strong regional field.
HURDLES
Bilodeau turned in Saint Joseph's top hurdle performance of the weekend, finishing 20th in the 100-meter hurdles preliminaries with a time of 15.76. Her mark added another solid regional-level effort to a strong spring season.
THROWS
Kabangu represented the Monks in the shot put and recorded a top mark of 10.58m (34' 8.5"). In the javelin, Leech posted a throw of 30.50m (100' 1") to place 18th overall.
FULL RESULTS
Women's 400 Meters
Ava Smart – 1:02.42 (23rd)
Women's 100-Meter Hurdles Preliminaries
Audrey Bilodeau – 15.76 (20th)
Women's 4x100-Meter Relay
Smart, Bilodeau, Miller, Leech – 50.95 (16th)
Women's Shot Put
Jemima Kabangu – 10.58m / 34' 8.5" (23rd)
Women's Javelin
Ellie Leech – 30.50m / 100' 1" (18th)
