NEW YORK, NY - The Iona University women's indoor track & field team competed at the 2025 Dr. Sander Scorcher hosted by Columbia University at the Armory Track & Field Center. The Gaels 4x400-meter relay quartet of junior Nadine Jefremow, senior Megan Sterbenz, and freshmen Zaheira Hegazi and Ava McAuliffe set a school record to highlight the squad's effort in New York City.  Sophomore Claragh Keane (pictured) ran the fastest time in the MAAC this season in the 3,000-meter event.

WOMEN'S 4X400-METER RELAY

Jefremow (60.8), Sterbenz (58.5), Hegazi (62.8), and McAuliffe (57.6) combined to run a 4:00.73, snapping the previous best by nearly 10 seconds. The 57.6 second anchor leg by McAuliffe would stand as the fastest 400-meter time in school history and third fastest in the MAAC. Sterbenz time would stand third on Iona's all-time performance list. The combined time stands as the third fastest time in the MAAC this season.
 
The previous school record of 4:10.13 was set just last week by Jefremow, Hegazi, senior Katie Menard, and sophomore Lauren Sonski.

WOMEN'S 3,000-METER RUN (OPEN AND INVITE)

Keane finished 12th overall in the 3,000-meter invitational run, crossing the line in 9:48.35. It was a personal best time and fastest in the MAAC this season. She entered the Top 25 on Iona's all-time performance list with the finish. Senior Madison Klein was 16th overall in 9:55.31, the seventh fastest MAAC time in 2024-25. Senior Kate Tugman (35th, 10:12.43) also competed. Her time ranks No. 14 in the MAAC.
 
Sophomore McKenna Arguien earned an eighth place finish in the women's 3k open race, posting a 10:27.56.

WOMEN'S 800-METER RUN

Menard was the lone Gael in the 800-meter event and finished in 11th place with a time of 2:19.47.

IONA PERFORMERS

60: Ava McAuliffe, 33rd, 8.163. 200: Nadine Jefremow, 51st, 26.93; Lauren Sonski, 62nd, 27.75. 400: Zaheira Hegazi, 34th, 1:02.09. 800: Katie Menard, 11th, 2:19.47. 3k invitational: Claragh Keane, 12th, 9:48.35; Madison Klein, 16th, 9:55.31; Kate Tugman, 35th, 10:12.43. 3k open: McKenna Arguien, 8th, 10:27.56. 4x400: N. Jefremow, M. Sterbenz, Z. Hegazi, A. McAuliffe, 9th, 4:00.73.

UP NEXT

The Gaels compete in the Metropolitan Championships next Friday at Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex in Staten Island.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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