Photo courtesy of gobonnies.com
BY: SEAN WALLACE; SPORTS ASSIGNMENT EDITOR
The St. Bonaventure women’s outdoor track team broke three school records at the Bucknell Outdoor Classic and the Brockport Invitational over the weekend.
Maddie McKillop set a new school record in the 800 meters on Saturday at the Bucknell Outdoor Classic, finishing in 2:16.76.
McKillop, a sophomore adolescence education major, placed second in her heat and 49th out of 150 competitors in the 800 meters at the meet.
She set the program record three weeks earlier at the Marty Pushkin Invitational at West Virginia University, clocking in at 2:19.27.
McKillop emphasized the team’s preparation and consistent effort as key factors this season.
“What stands out most is all the hard work and dedication we put in that nobody sees,” said McKillop. “My focus is to trust the process and training our coaches have provided, and to take advantage of the competition to perform my best. It is so rewarding to see it consistently pay off on race day. I want people to know how close this team is and how that support pushes us to improve every day.”
Senior captain Meghan Litteer, a public health major, broke the program record in the 200 meters for the second consecutive week with a time of 26.19 at Bucknell on Sunday.
She broke her time of 26.42 that she set the weekend prior at the Jim Taylor Duals.
Freshman Brianna Reynolds, a physical education major, broke the program record for the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 1:05.40 at Bucknell on Sunday.
She had previously broken the mark with a time of 1:05.73 at the Marty Pushkin Invitational last month.
Freshman Malaika George, a biochemistry major, recorded a personal best time of 1:00.65 in the 400 meters at Bucknell on Sunday, moving into third in program history. Senior Adria Magnusson, a health science major, also posted a personal best in the event, finishing in 1:03.14.
George credited the team’s resilience and support for one another throughout the year.
“Our perseverance and willingness to continue working hard despite challenges has stood out to me the most this season, especially during the winter while running in all types of weather,” said George. “It was a true test of mental toughness, and we were able to push through together. Although track may seem to be an individual sport there is a strong team component, and this team truly embodies that. Everyone looks out for one another, from the coaches to the athletes, and that is what makes us special. We adapt with what is available and are still building, and I know we will continue to improve as the season progresses.”
Freshman Sydney March, a marketing major, set a personal best in the 800 meters with a time of 2:21.45 at Bucknell on Saturday, moving into second in program history. She also delivered a time of 5:04.22, another personal best, in the 1,500 meters at Brockport on Sunday and won her heat race.
Freshman Gianna Bille, a nursing major, posted a personal best of 2:25.08 in the 800 meters at Bucknell on Saturday.
Sophomore Madison McMahon, a marketing major, clocked a personal best time of 4:56.82 in the 1,500 meters, while sophomore Miranda Habshi, a philosophy major, recorded a personal best of 18:59.74 in the 5,000 meters at Bucknell on Saturday.
The team travels to the Rochester Invitational, hosted by the University of Rochester, on Sunday, April 19.
