Women's Track and Field Leads, Claims Three Champions on Day One of Outdoor Heps

Saturday, May 16

10:00 AM

Princeton University

Ivy League Championships

Tessa Mudd Pole Vault Champion 2026 Outdoor Heps

Photo by: Shelley M. Szwast

Women's Track and Field Leads, Claims Three Champions on Day One of Outdoor Heps

May 16, 2026 | Women's Track and Field

PRINCETON, N.J. – Dominating day one of competition, the Princeton women's track and field team opened up the Ivy League Heptagonal Outdoor Championships on Saturday in Weaver Stadium.

The Tigers claimed three champions and set two program records, and with five of 22 events scored, they lead the team standings with 56 points, ahead of second-place Penn with 34.

Finals
Angela McAuslan-Kelly was the first Tiger to be crowned champion as she won her first hammer throw Ivy title to start the day at Broadmead. Holding onto first after an initial throw of 61.39m/201-5, she improved her mark with a final throw of 63.86m/209-6. Untouchable, she was the only thrower to clear over 57m.

Jana Ter Wee also set a new personal best in the hammer, throwing 51.99m for eighth.

With similar dominance, Tessa Mudd claimed the Ivy Championship in the pole vault, marking the senior vaulter's fifth title overall and first since 2024. Clearing 4.08m, 4.18m, and 4.28m with ease on each of her first attempts, the final dual came down to Mudd and Cornell's Avery Hilliard.

After one miss, Ivy recordholder Mudd cleared 4.38m/14-4.5, claiming victory on her home field at her final Heps competition.

Lotte Gretzler also added to the team score, earning two team points with a fifth-place finish as she cleared 4.08m/13-4.5.

A monster final jump for Georgina Scoot handed her the Ivy League title in the long jump. Clearing 6.61m/21-8.25m, Scoot jumped from second into first, setting a new program record and a new Heps meet record in the process. Her mark currently ranks fourth in the NCAA.

After being overtaken with Scoot's last jump, Alexandra Kelly took second in the event with a mark of 6.51m/21-4.5. The two Tigers have been dominant in the horizontal jumps all season long, with Kelly's mark of 6.58m - the previous school record, holding sixth in the nation going into today.

Usually a high-jumper, Alysa Carrigan also competed in the long jump and set a new personal best as she cleared 5.87m/19-3.75.

Layla Giordano took second in the discus, throwing 58.96m/193-5 for another eight points in the Tiger tally.

Anna McNatt finished third in the 10,000m, clocking in at 35:11.91. Emily Cooper was behind her at 35:55.93, with both women combining for seven crucial team points.

Prelims
Setting Princeton up for further success on day two, the Tigers advanced athletes into all but one of tomorrow's events.

Maisha Atkinson shined, qualifying for both the 200m and 400m finals with two new personal bests. Her 200m time of 23.57 marks a new program record, besting her own record of 23.60 set earlier this season. In the 400m, she ran 53.12, knocking on the door of the school record of 52.97.

Laila Payne also had a day in the hurdles. In the 400mH, she took second overall with a time of 59.08. In the 100mH, she finished second in her heat with a fast 13.58. Tomorrow, she'll compete in both finals.

Hannah Riggins finished second in the 800m prelim, running 2:05.42. Olivia Martin also advances with 2:08.50. Both will move on to the final tomorrow.

With four events of the Heptathlon scored, Julia Jongejeugd sits in second place with 3336 points, just 50 behind the leader, Paula Marie-Brown of Cornell. Her day one performance was highlighted by a win in the high jump as she cleared 1.73m. Jongejeugd also racked up over 1000 points in the 100mH, running 13.81 for second place. Tomorrow she'll fight for the championship across the three remaining events.

Up Next
The Tigers will close out Heps tomorrow as they seek a second-straight outdoor championship and a historic second-consecutive Triple Crown. The action will kick off at 9 a.m. in Weaver Stadium, beginning with the 5000m races.