LEXINGTON, Va. - The Washington and Lee University women's track and field team kicked off their 2025-26 campaign on Saturday afternoon at the Colonel Bev Read Opener at Virginia Military Institute.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE MEET

• Bella Timmerding provided the lone win for the Blue and White in the season opener, finishing in first place in the weight throw. Timmerding recorded a mark of 13.28m (43'-07.00") to claim gold, besting her previous No. 5 all-time mark in program history.
• All four runners in the 60m hurdles entered the program's top-10 list this afternoon, with Piper Shannon leading the charge by posting the third-best mark in program history at 9.17s. Elizabeth Sawicki recorded the fifth-fastest time in program history at 9.33s, while Lucy Buchmayr tied the sixth-best mark in team history. Joanne Lee rounded out the updates with a time of 9.48s, which ranks ninth all-time.
• The quartet qualified for the final together, finishing right behind each other. Sawicki paced the group with a fourth-place finish, followed by Shannon in fifth, Lee in sixth, and Buchmayr in seventh.
• Lucie Graziano and Sofia Petrucelli both turned in top-three finishes in the 1,200m this afternoon. Graziano placed second after clocking a time of 3:53.26, with Petrucelli crossing the finish line in 4:02.43 to secure third.
• Camille Gillum soared over a height of 1.60m (5'-03.00") to finish third in the high jump at the opening meet. The Blue and White had three student-athletes finish within the top eight in the pole vault. Mad McMurphy led the trio with a second-place finish, recording a mark of 3.50m (11'-05.75") that tied the fourth-best mark in program history. Layla Keadle followed McMurphy with a third-place finish after clearing 3.35m (10'-11.75"). Gabby Pullen rounded out the trio with a seventh-place finish, posting a mark of 2.90m (9'-06.25").
• Emily Jackson and Mackenzie Morante rounded out the top-eight finishers for the Blue and White. Jackson turned in a second-place finish in the shot put with a toss of 11.65m (38'-02.75"), while Morante finished fourth in the triple jump after posting a mark of 10.53m (34'-06.75").

PERSONAL BESTS

• Joanne Lee | 60m Hurdles (9.48s)
• Ana Hodneland | 60m Dash (8.24s)
• Bella Timmerding | Weight Throw  (13.28m; 43'-07.00") 

TOP-EIGHT FINISHERS

• 60m Hurdles: Elizabeth Sawicki | 4th place (Prelims: 9.36s, Finals: 9.33s)
• 60m Hurdles: Piper Shannon | 5th place (Prelims: 9.17s, Finals: 9.35s)
• 60m Hurdles: Joanne Lee | 6th place (Prelims: 9.48s, Finals: 9.55s)
• 60m Hudles: Lucy Buchmayr | 7th place (Prelims: 9.37s, Finals: 10.47s)
• 1,200m: Lucie Graziano | 2nd place (3:53.26)
• 1,200m: Sofia Petrucelli | 3rd place (4:02.43)
• 1,200m: Charlotte Gardner | 4th place (4:02.51)
• High Jump: Camille Gillum | 3rd place (1.60m; 5'-03.00")
• Pole Valut: Mad McMurphy | 2nd place (3.50m; 11'-05.75")
• Pole Vault: Layla Keadle | 3rd place (3.35m; 10'-11.75")
• Pole Vault: Gabby Pullen | 7th place (2.90m; 9'-06.25")
• Shot Put: Emily Jackson | 2nd place (11.65m: 38'-02.75")
• Triple Jump: Mackenzie Morante | 4th place (10.53m; 34'-06.75")
• Weight Throw: Bella Timmerding | 1st place (13.28m; 43'-07.00")

TOP TEN LIST UPDATES

• Piper Shannon | 60m Hurdles (9.17s) | No. 3 All-time
• Elizabeth Sawicki | 60m Hurdles (9.33 s) | No. 5 All-time
• Lucy Buchmayr | 60m Hurdles (9.37s) | Tied No. 6 All-time
• Joanne Lee | 60m Hurdles (9.48s) | No. 9 All-time
• Jesma Evans | 60m Dash (8.21s) | No. 8 All-time
• Ana Hodneland | 60m Dash (8.24s) | No. 10 All-time
• Mad McMurphy | Pole Vault (3.50m; 11'-05.75") | Tied No. 4 All-time
• Bella Timmerding | Weight Throw (13.28m; 43'-07.00") | No. 5 All-time

UP NEXT

• The Generals will take a break for the holidays before returning to action on January 17th at the VMI Team Challenge.

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Nestled in the mountains of Virginia, Washington and Lee University is a proud member of NCAA Division III and the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. Founded in 1749, W&L is the ninth-oldest college in the United States and a top-ranked liberal arts university. With over 500 student-athletes in 24 varsity sports, the Generals have celebrated over 265 conference championships. Learn more about the Blue and White by visiting www.generalssports.com or on social media at @WLUGenerals.