NEW YORK, NY - The Iona University women's track & field team took on the 2025 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championships in day one at the Nike Track & Field Center at The Armory in New York, New York on Saturday night. 
Tayla Gunton Highlighted the Gael's best efforts, taking home a bronze medal in the 5000-meter event. The Maroon & Gold distance medley relay also brought in a haul of half a dozen points off their very own bronze medal finish. 
woMEN'S 5000-METER RUN FINAL
Tayla Gunton would demolish her previous indoor best by more than 16 seconds, earning her a bronze medal in the 5000-meter event with a time of 16:50.24. Three more Gaels would go on to finish and earn points for the Gaels, with 
Claragh Keane (17:07.82) and 
Madison Klein (17.10.94) coming in at fifth and sixth, respectively. 
Muireann Duffy (8th, 17:21.81) would be the final Gael to take home points.   
woMEN'S DISTANCE MEDLEY RELAY FINAL
Another half a dozen points would be added to Iona's team total as the distance medley consisting of 
McKenna Arguien, 
Zaheira Hegazi, 
Lauren Sonski, and 
Kate Tugman earned a bronze medal finish with a time of 12:24.38. 
woMEN'S MILE RUN PRELIMINARIES
Kiera Atkinson qualified for tomorrow's mile final, coming in eighth with a time of 5:10.71. 
Maddy Luscombe (11th, 5:09.35), 
Clodagh McGroary (26th, 5:29.34), and 
Alexa Doe (31st, 5:34.42) rounded out the list of Maroon & Gold finishers.   
WOMEN'S 800-METER run PRELIMINARIES
Katie Menard finished within half a second of her personal best in the 800-meter event, crossing the line 6sixh with a time of 2:17.07 and qualifying for the final. 
Lauren Sonski (17th, 2:24.51), Payton Foster (22nd, 2:26.49), and 
Megan Sterbenz (28th, 2:29.95) also competed in the event.  
WOMEN'S 400-METER RUN PRELIMINARIES
Ava McAuliffe rounded out the list of Gael qualifiers on day one, setting a school record with a personal best time of 57.98.  
Zaheira Hegazi (24th, 1:02.20), 
Nadine Jefremow (26th, 1:02.59), and Rihanna Burgher (30th, 1:03.69) also finished in the 400-meter event. 
IONA PERFORMERS
60m prelims: Ava McAuliffe, 15th, 25.67, Rihanna Burgher, 35th, 27.74; 
200m prelims: Ava McAuliffe, 15th, 25.67, Rihanna Burgher, 35th, 27.74; 
400m prelims: Ava McAuliffe, 7th, 57.98, 
Zaheira Hegazi, 24th, 1:02.20, 
Nadine Jefremow, 36th, 1:02.59, Rihanna Burgher, 30th, 1:03.69; 
800m prelims: Katie Menard, 6th, 2:17,07, 
Lauren Sonski, 17th, 2:24.51, Payton Foster, 22nd, 2:26.49, 
Megan Sterbenz, 28th, 2:29.95; 
Mile: Kiera Atkinson, 8th, 5:10.71, 
Maddy Luscombe, 11th, 5:09.35, 
Clodagh McGroary, 26th, 5:29.34, 
Alexa Doe, 31st, 5:34.42; 
5k: Tayla Gunton, 3rd, 16:50.24, 
Claragh Keane, 5th, 17:07.82, 
Madison Klein, 6th, 17:10.94, 
Muireann Duffy, 8th, 17:21.81. 
DMR: M. Arguien, Z. Hegazi, L. Sonski, K. Tugman, 3rd, 12:24.38
SOCIAL MEDIA
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