Villanova sophomore Maeve Smith from Ocean City placed 17th out of over 200 runners Friday at the NCAA Division 1 Mid-Atlantic Regional at Lehigh.
Smith was Villanova’s 3rd finisher, running an all-course PR 20:09 on the 6,000-meter South Campus course in Bethlehem and Lower Saucon Township.
Smith’s previous 6K best on any course was 20:27 in her last race two weeks ago when she was 10th in the Big East Championships in Mechanicsville, Va.
Villanova placed 4th with 120 points, behind West Virginia [19], Penn State [83] and Princeton [105].
A pack of four South Jersey runners finished between 20:58 and 21:07.
Junior Anya Kazemi from Bishop Eustace ran an all-course 6K best of 20:58 and was Lafayette’s 1st finisher. Her previous fastest 6,000 was 21:01 two weeks ago at the Patriot Conference meet, where she placed 11th.
La Salle senior Helene Usher from Haddonfield crossed the line four seconds after Kazemi in 21:02, also an all-course best. Her previous best was 21:05 on the same course at Paul Short in 2024.
Finishing a second behind Usher was Delaware senior Leah Clear from Camden Catholic, who ran was the Blue Hens’ top finisher in 21:03.
Four seconds later, Bucknell junior Kerry O’Day from Cherokee crossed in 21:07. She was the Bison’s 3rd finisher.
Just a few seconds back was Delaware freshman Julia Flanagan from Holy Cross, who ran 21:19 and was Delaware’s 2nd finisher. Lafayette senior Ava Severino from Haddon Heights finished two seconds behind Flanagan in 21:21, another 6K best. Her previous 6K PR was 21:48 at a meet last month at Gettysburg, Pa. And Atlantic City’s Maddie Dischert, a Rider senior, ran 21:33.
Also under 22 minutes: St. Joe’s freshman Jonalee Adams [21:48] and La Salle junior Cara Coppoino [all-course PR 21:57].
