The Washington & Jefferson College track & field teams commenced their first three-meet weekend of the season. The Presidents opened competition at the Carnegie Mellon Invitational, Tim Weaver Memorial and the Raleigh Relays.
 
Claire Anderson (Jamestown, Pa./Jamestown) continued her storied career as a President by breaking the 5,000-meter run record at the Raleigh Relays, hosted by Division I NC State. The senior raced her way to a 16:40.47 time in the 5k, finishing first in her heat and 52nd overall after dusting the next best runner in the final 400 meters. Anderson's extra gear allowed her to break W&J's long-standing outdoor 5k record, previously held by Kristen Galligan. Galligan's top time was 17:07.57 from the 2013 season.  
 
Chloe LoCastro (Venetia, Pa./Peters Township) highlighted the W&J performances at the Carnegie Mellon Invitational. The senior runner broke the W&J record in the 3,000-meter steeplechase after just breaking her own record in the 1,500-meter steeplechase a week ago. In the 3k steeplechase at CMU, LoCastro new school record time of 11:22.67 helped her place fourth, only being bested by runners from Division I Duquesne and Pittsburgh. The previous record time of 11:36.85 was held by Cassie Carr from the 2023 season.
 
Maria Gilles (North Ridgeville, Ohio/Lake Ridge Academy) also posted a top finish in the 1,500-meter run, placing fifth at the Carnegie Mellon Invitational. The senior raced her way to a time of 4:44.99. Gilles was accompanied by Cali LaRue (Pittsburgh, Pa./Montour) in the event, finishing in 16^th place with a time of 4:56.18             .
 
Dominic Flitcraft (Aliquippa, Pa./Hopewell) led the W&J men's runners at the Carnegie Mellon Invitational with an 11^th place finish in the 5k. Flitcraft ran his way to a time of 14:53.34, the third fastest runner from a division III team in the event. Jacob Derry (Canonsburg, Pa./Corry Area) also finished in the top 50, placing 39^th with a time of 15:29.18.
 
Freshman Wyatt Stroup (Port Royal, Pa./Juniata) led the men's runner in the 1,500-meters, placing 19^th out of 60 total runners. Stroup finished the event with a time of 4:07.09.
 
Christian Ross (Coal Center, Pa./California Area) led the W&J men's throwers at the Tim Weaver Invitational hosted by Division II West Liberty, Ross finished second in the javelin throw with a top throw of 51.01 meters (167' 4").
 
Matt Kordich (Perryopolis, Pa./Frazier) led the men in the hammer throw, taking ninth place with a top heave of 37.17 meters (121' 11").
 
Dual sport phenom Katie Kovalchick (Shelocta, Pa./Indiana Area) led the W&J women at the Tim Weaver Invitational at Division II West Liberty. Kovalchick finished second in the javelin with a top throw of 36.23 meters (118' 10"). Taylor Schumacher (Washington, Pa./McGuffey) trailed Kovalchick in the event, placing fourth with a throw of 30.29 meters (99' 4").
 
The Presidents return to action at the Tim Weaver Invitational and the Carnegie Mellon Invitational on Saturday (March 28). Both meets are scheduled for 10:00 a.m. starts.