NEW YORK, NY - The Iona University women's outdoor track & field program competed at the 2024 Metropolitan Championships at Icahn Stadium Saturday. Rookie
Tyaja Thomas stood out with a solid performance in the javelin and discus throws to lead the Gaels in New York City.
JAVELIN THROW
Thomas earned second place honors in the javelin with a top throw of 37.18 meters, a school record toss. Christina Closius' previous top mark at Iona was 32.72m from 2009. Thomas was less than a meter shy of the event winner from Rowan University. It was a Top 10 distance in the MAAC this season.
DISCUS THROW
Thomas also set a school record with a 32.97 meter throw in the discus. She topped Nicole Bailey's 29.98 meter performance from 15 years ago in 2009. It was also a Top 10 MAAC performance early in the 2024 campaign.
3,000-METER STEEPLECHASE
Graduate
Kate Tugman also finished second in the 3,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 11:27.28 It was a personal best time for the UCLA and Florida State transfer, lowering her previous best of 11:45.16 in a dual meet that pitted the Bruins vs. UCLA last year.
5000-METER RUN
Junior
Cosmina Spiridon was fourth overall in the 5,000-meter event with a personal best time of 18:11.98.
4X100-METER RELAY
The Gaels' 4x100 relay squad of
Jamie Gudyka,
Lauren Sonski,
Nadine Jefremow,
Tonian Fullerton was fifth overall in 53.00.
400-METER RUN
Jefremow also earned a top 10 finish in the 400-meter event, posting a 1:00.40. It was a personal best and the third fastest 400 time in school history behind the only two sub-minute performers Heather Bourgault (57.70, 2004) and Tamantha Pizarro (58.90, 2018). Freshman
Lauren Sonski (21st, 1:04.28) also competed in the event.
5000-METER RUN
Sophomore
McKenna Arguien was seventh in the 5k (18:40.32)
LONG JUMP
Senior
Tonian Fullerton was Iona's final top 10 finisher in eighth place in the long jump (4.53m).
IONA PERFORMERS
400:
Nadine Jefremow, 7th, 1:00.40;
Lauren Sonski, 21st, 1:04.28.
400h:
Jamie Gudyka, 10th, 1:14.61.
1500:
Alexa Doe, 23rd, 5:13.09.
5k:
Cosmina Spiridon, 4th, 18:11.98;
McKenna Arguien, 7th, 18:40.32.
3k chase:
Kate Tugman, 2nd, 11:27.28.
4x100: J. Gudyka, L. Sonski, N. Jefremow, T. Fullerton, 5th, 53.00.
Discus:
Tyaja Thomas, 7th, 32.97m.
Javelin:
Tyaja Thomas, 2nd, 37.18m. Long Jump:
Tonian Fullerton, 8th, 4.53m.
Shot Put:
Isabel Raymond, 16th, 5.99m.
UP NEXT
The Gaels travel north on I-95 to Providence for the Friar Invitational next Friday.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Be sure to follow Iona University athletics on all social media platforms:
Iona Gaels: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube (
Email Updates).
Iona Cross Country/Track: Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
