NEW YORK, N.Y. – The Leopards began the indoor track and field season at the Rutgers Holiday Classic at NYC Armory on Friday. 

Running for the women, sophomore Ida Moczerniuk qualified for the 60-meter finals and secured the victory with a time of 7.50, breaking her own school record from the 2023-24 season. Moczerniuk also took home second in the 200 meters with a time of 24.88, the second fastest time in Lafayette history. Senior Nava Chevan captured first in the 600 meters with a final time of 1:33.18 followed by junior Elena Malone in second (1:36.75). Junior Katherine Pappas and freshman Lilly Bradfield finished fifth (1:41.06) and seventh (1:42.72) in the 600 meters, respectively.

Junior Alexa LaSasso garnered second in the 1000 meters, finishing in 2:52.45 and breaking a 22-year old school record. Classmate Maeve Waldron placed third in the 400 meters with a time of 58.07, securing No. 8 all-time at Lafayette. Sophomore Gabby Buber finished fourth in the 200 meters (26.04) and senior Casey MacElhiney reeled in fifth in the mile (5:11.64). 

Senior Chelsey Cochrane ran a 2:59.66 in the 1000 meters, earning No. 8 all-time, and freshman Lily Jenkins ran a 26.29 in the 200 meters, each finishing sixth.

The team of Waldron, LaSasso, Malone and Chevan captured second in the 4x400-meter relay with a final time of 3:53.65.

For the men, sophomore Alexander Caba enjoyed a first-place finish in the 200 meters with a time of 21.95, securing No. 3 all-time. Freshman Alec Miner secured second in the 600 meters (1:22.42) and sophomore Harrison Rosen earned third in the 200 meters (23.10). 

Sophomore John Liedtka took home fifth in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.39, earning No. 6 all-time. Classmate Ilios Millett placed fifth in the 400 meters, running a 51.49. Junior Zachary Barban reeled in sixth in the 400 meters with a final time of 51.52 followed by senior Ryan Moore in seventh (52.71).

The team of Barban, junior Titan Casey, Millett and Miner collected second in the 4x400-meter relay with a final time of 3:27.63.

In the field for the women, senior Julia Greeley pole vaulted 12' 0.75" for a fourth-place finish. Sophomore Bridget O'Mara and junior Isabella Allen tied for seventh in pole vault with a 10' 8" vault. Freshman Anaya Brown earned sixth in the triple jump (34' 0.25").

For the men, junior Liam Sawian took home fourth in the high jump (6' 2.75") and senior Quinn Curtin finished seventh in the triple jump (43' 7.75"). Freshman J.T. Cook and sophomore Andrew Harrison reeled in seventh-place finishes in the long jump (20' 11.25") and triple jump (41' 9.25"), respectively. Senior Jack Lynett and freshman Jack Larson tied for seventh in the pole vault with 14' even.

"It was a great opening meet for us at the historic NYC Armory. The track was just resurfaced this summer and it certainly led to fast opening meet marks," said head coach Michele Curcio. "We have never broken two school records at our opening meet. Additionally, we had six other all-time top 10 performances. I also thought that our women's 4x400-meter relay ran extremely well."

A small group of throwers participated in day one of Fast Times Before Finals hosted by Lehigh on Friday evening. The Leopards will resume competition Saturday at 10 a.m. for day two.