Freshman standout Sydney Greenidge has rewritten the record books for the University of Vermont, leading a surge of elite performances as multiple personal bests set in Massachusetts signaled a peak in form for the Catamount track and field program. Competing at the UMass Commonwealth Invitational, Greenidge delivered a historic 100m dash, clocking a 12.17-second finish to secure seventh place and cement her position as the fourth-fastest athlete in program history.
The performance was part of a broader, high-impact weekend for the squad, which split its focus between the invitational in Amherst and the Silfen Invitational in Connecticut. From historic sprints to breakthrough field events, the Catamounts demonstrated a depth of talent across speed, power, and endurance disciplines, positioning several athletes for deep runs in the upcoming championship season.
The success was not accidental, according to the coaching staff, who credited specific preparation for the team’s explosive output. “We saw many outstanding performances today across all event areas,” the coach noted, highlighting the work of Coach Parasky and Coach Linehan in preparing the speed and power athletes for the weekend’s demands.
Historic Sprints and Hurdle Breakthroughs
While Greenidge captured headlines in the 100m, Erin Carty provided a masterclass in the hurdles. Carty secured a second-place finish in the 400m hurdles with a time of 1:02.49—a mark that ranks as the sixth-fastest in UVM history and was two seconds quicker than her winning time from the previous week. Carty similarly maintained her consistency in the 100m hurdles, placing tenth with a time of 15.05 seconds.
The momentum extended to the men’s side, where Andres Santiago completed a successful hurdle double. Santiago took third place in the 400m hurdles, clocking 55:07 and shaving multiple seconds off his previous best of the year. He also placed 11th in the 110m hurdles with a time of 15.34 seconds.
Greenidge further proved her versatility by finishing sixth in the 200m dash with a time of 25.38 seconds, while Tyler Castillo represented the men in the 100m dash, finishing 17th at 10.99 seconds.
Dominance in the Field
The field events in Amherst were marked by a series of personal records and season-best marks. Ryleigh Garrow opened the Saturday competition with a strong showing in the high jump, matching the winning height of 1.66m on her second attempt to earn second place. Garrow also placed fifth in the 100m hurdles with a time of 14.47 seconds.
In the pole vault, Ava Buske achieved a new personal best, clearing 3.36m to finish eighth. The throwing events saw similar upward trajectories; Samantha Alexander recorded a season-best throw of 42.53m in the discus to finish sixth, while Eli Lammi posted his best throw of the spring at 49.11m to claim third place.
Other notable field contributions included Kate Kelly, who placed ninth in the long jump (5.33m), and Erin Geib, who cleared 43.02m in the hammer throw to finish 12th.
Top Performance Summary: UMass Commonwealth Invitational
| Athlete | Event | Mark/Time | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney Greenidge | 100m Dash | 12.17s | 4th Fastest in UVM History |
| Erin Carty | 400m Hurdles | 1:02.49 | 6th All-Time at UVM |
| Ryleigh Garrow | High Jump | 1.66m | 2nd Place Finish |
| Ava Buske | Pole Vault | 3.36m | New Personal Best |
| Eli Lammi | Discus | 49.11m | Best Throw of Spring |
Multi-Event Success in Connecticut
While the bulk of the team converged on Massachusetts, a specialized trio competed in the grueling Decathlon and Heptathlon events at the Silfen Invitational. Jackson King led the men’s contingent, finishing third overall in the Decathlon. King highlighted his versatility by winning the 100m event with a time of 11.19 seconds.
Luke Miller followed closely, placing fourth in a nine-athlete field. Miller’s standout moment came in the 400m, where he secured a victory with a clocking of 51.26 seconds. On the women’s side, sophomore Morgan Doherty displayed consistent strength across the board in the Heptathlon. Doherty finished fifth notably placing second in the 100m hurdles and maintaining top-five finishes in the 200m, 800m, and long jump.
Endurance and Distance Milestones
The distance events provided a steady stream of efficiency. In the women’s 1500m, Bella Fryer took fourth place with a time of 4:39.53, while Rachel Barba finished seventh at 4:41.84, marking her best time in the event this spring. For the men, first-year athlete Nick Kidder led the Catamount effort in the 1500m with a time of 4:02.07.
Mid-distance success continued with Inge Schmidt finishing fifth in the 400m (58.26s), her best time of the spring. In the 800m, Grace DeLisle improved her season-best to finish 10th at 2:19.76, and Dillon Stoeffler took eighth place for the men at 1:55.95.
The long-distance efforts were capped by Hope Tyska, who grabbed fifth place in the women’s 5000m with a time of 18:04.42. Teddy Tremblay was the top finisher for the men in the same event, placing 14th with a time of 15:28.24.
The surge of multiple personal bests set in Massachusetts and Connecticut serves as a critical barometer for the team as they transition into the championship phase of the season. The Catamounts are now shifting their focus to the IC4A and ECAC Championships in Piscataway, New Jersey, where they will compete across a full weekend of events. A contingent of athletes is scheduled to compete at the George Davis Invitational at UMass Lowell.
For official results and updated athlete rosters, fans can visit the UVM Athletics official portal.
What do you think of the Catamounts’ momentum heading into the championships? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
