Riley Harmon won the steeplechase by just .29 seconds
Riley Harmon won the steeplechase by just .29 seconds
Posted: Apr 30, 2022

Harmon, Bloss Win Titles to Help Athenas Lead after Day One of SCIAC Track and Field Championships

WHITTIER, Calif. - Riley Harmon won a close battle for first in the steeplechase by less than a second, and Meredith Bloss added a title in the 10000 meters, as the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps women's track and field team opened up the first day of the SCIAC Championships with a 61-53 lead over Redlands.

Most events had prelims on Saturday, with finals held in the discus, hammer, and long jump, in addition to the steeplechase and 10000. 

Harmon's dramatic win in the steeplechase over Isabella Glenn of Redlands resulted in a four-point swing in the team standings, as Harmon edged her out to the finish line in 10:56.44 to 10:56.73 to give the Athenas 10 points, while Glenn earned eight for the Bulldogs. 

Harmon wasn't alone scoring in the steeplechase either, as Sophie Gitlin finished third in her first race of the year after returning from injury in 11:39.30. Chloe Taylor was fourth and Angela Gushue came in fifth. 

Bloss had less drama in winning her SCIAC title, taking it by almost 20 seconds over Claire Hu of Caltech in second, finishing in 37:46.43. The Athenas also had three other scorers, with Anika Kimme in fourth, Lara Cunningham in fifth and Mallorie Jenne in sixth. 

Amanda Gallop provided eight big points to the CMS tally with a second-place finish in the hammer throw, reaching 44.76 meters with her third attempt. Carly Kirsch scored in the discus with a fourth-place finish at 35.56 meters, and added an eighth-place finish in the hammer.  

In prelims, Caroline DelVecchio had the top time in both the 100-meter hurdles and the 400-meter hurdles as she aims for dual championships tomorrow. The Athenas had four advance in the 1500, with Laura Zimmer having the top time with a 4:58.02, and Emily Clarke, Natalie Bitetti and Kaya Hano also earning spots in the top 12.

Bitetti, Zimmer and Megan Maley also qualified in the 800, while Mikaela Lipsky earned a trip to the finals in the 400 by coming in just under a minute in 59.65 seconds. 

The second day of the SCIAC Championships gets underway tomorrow with field events at 2 p.m., including the javelin, shot put, triple jump, high jump and pole vault, while track events will get underway at 3:30 p.m.