BOSTON – The Simmons indoor track team made their presence felt competing in its first Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Championship Meet on Sunday afternoon. Delivering standout performances and personal-bests across multiple events, the Sharks also captured a pair of podium finishes.
 
First-year runner Charlotte Shaw was a standout in the 3,000-meter run, taking home the silver medal with a personal-best time of 11:39.17. Additionally, Shaw guided the Sharks distance medley relay team to a second-place finish, clocking a best time of 14:16.72.

Sprint Success
In the 60-meter dash, Zoe Schmaling led the charge for Simmons, finishing fifth in the finals with a time of 8.32 seconds to earn two points for the team. Isatu Fofanah also made the finals, finishing seventh at 8.45 seconds, while Macaela Stanislas and Piper Rickman just missed advancing past the prelims.

The 200-meter dash saw Debby Perez clock in at 28.30 seconds, finishing eighth, while Schmaling placed ninth in a near photo finish (28.527). Stanislas (29.10), Fofanah (29.18), and Williamson (29.39) also posted solid times.

Mid-Distance and Distance Strength
Simmons had a strong showing in the middle-distance events, with Wanda Cirillo placing eighth in the 800-meter run (2:37.15) and Julia Pellegrino (2:54.79) and Gabby Flaherty (2:55.45) running hard in the second heat. Cirillo doubled back in the mile with a fantastic fourth-place finish (5:41.27), earning valuable points. Charlotte Shaw was a standout in the 3000-meter run, securing second place with a time of 11:39.17, contributing eight points to the team total. Sofia Girioni added a sixth-place finish in the 5000 meters (21:19.06), picking up another point.

Field Events
In the long jump, Debby Perez leaped 4.33 meters (14-02.50), representing Simmons in the event. Meanwhile, Jayla James competed in the 60-meter hurdles, finishing just outside the finals.

Simmons Highlights & Personal Bests

• Zoe Schmaling – 60m Dash Finals: 8.32 (PB)
• Isatu Fofanah – 60m Dash Prelims: 8.46 (PB)
• Macaela Stanislas – 60m Dash Prelims: 8.64 (PB)
• Piper Rickman – 60m Dash Prelims: 8.80 (PB)
• Trinity Williamson – 60m Dash Prelims: 8.96 (PB)
• Carolyn Dorman – 60m Dash Prelims: 9.06 (PB)
• Debby Perez – 200m Dash: 28.30 (PB)
• Macaela Stanislas – 200m Dash: 29.10 (PB)
• Isatu Fofanah – 200m Dash: 29.18 (PB)
• Trinity Williamson – 200m Dash: 29.39 (PB)
• Carolyn Dorman – 200m Dash: 30.35 (PB)
• Wanda Cirillo – 800m Run: 2:37.15 (PB)
• Julia Pellegrino – 800m Run: 2:54.79 (PB)
• Gabby Flaherty – 800m Run: 2:55.45 (PB)
• Katie Repoli – 800m Run: 3:07.34 (PB)
• Reagan Miller – 800m Run: 3:17.16 (PB)
• Beth Pennington – 800m Run: 3:23.75 (PB)
• Charlotte Shaw – 3000m Run: 11:39.17 (PB)
• Sofia Girioni – 5000m Run: 21:19.06 (PB)

UP NEXT
Simmons returns to the track at the end of the month with the two-day DIII New England Championships on February 28 and March 1.