Just one week after setting a program record in the pole vault, sophomore Emma Groff continued her impressive outdoor season by breaking the Asbury record in the 3000-meter steeplechase.
Groff navigated 7.5 laps, clearing 35 barriers, including six water jumps, in a winning time of 12:29.56. Her performance shaved 21 seconds off the previous record set by Melissa Waterman in 2005 and secured her qualification for the NCCAA National Championship meet, set to be hosted at Asbury in May.
After narrowly missing the qualifying standard in the 5000 meters last week, freshman Emma Le Duc left no doubt this time around. She covered the 3.1-mile distance in 19:54.16, finishing well under the qualifying mark by 20 seconds. The time also places her among elite company, as she becomes just the fifth female runner in program history to break the 20-minute barrier in the 5K.
Bailey Gassmann added another national qualifier for the Eagles with a strong performance in the 1500 meters, clocking in at 4:54.39—good for the second-fastest time of her career.
In the field events, Mikayla Riccio claimed first place in the high jump with a clearance of 1.50 meters.
On the men's side, Manny Dut delivered a standout performance, winning the 400 meters in 49.85 seconds to earn a national qualifying mark. He also added a second-place finish in the 200 meters.
Cameron McElroy opened his outdoor season with an impressive showing in the javelin, recording a personal-best throw of 46.12 meters. The mark was good for second place and secured his spot at the NCCAA Championships.
Matthew Wilson also earned a first-place finish, winning the pole vault with a clearance of 3.80 meters.
The meet concluded with an exciting victory in the co-ed 4x400-meter relay, an event growing in popularity at the collegiate level after its debut at the 2024 Olympics. The Eagles team of Jacob Graston, Ellie Kershner, Adyson Mattingly, and Coleman Anderson combined for a winning time of 4:02.62.
Graston opened with a 54.1 split before handing off to Kershner (68.7) and Mattingly (67.4). Anderson took the baton in second place, trailing by eight yards, but closed the gap with an impressive 52.4 anchor leg to secure the win. The team's time also broke the previous school record set at the same meet last season.
